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Post by Admin on Aug 25, 2019 17:40:57 GMT
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the G7 leaders to France on Saturday (August 24), to kick off a summit likely to highlight differences rather than unity between Western powers. Macron gathered the leaders and their spouses in a lighthouse for a dinner meeting, where they will be treated to Piperade, a spicy Basque dish prepared with green and red Espelette pepper, red tuna, and a selection of local cheeses and cake. The initial smiles and small talk could not disguise the G7 countries' opposing approaches to many problems, including the question of protectionism and tax. Before his arrival, U.S. President Donald Trump repeated a threat to tax French wines in retaliation for a new French levy on digital services, which he says unfairly targets U.S. companies. Sharp differences on global trade tensions, Britain's exit from the EU and how to respond to the fires raging in the Amazon rainforest loom over the three-day summit in the Atlantic seaside resort of Biarritz. Adding to the unpredictable dynamic between the G7 leaders are the new realities facing Brexit-bound Britain: dwindling influence in Europe and growing dependency on the United States.  New Prime Minister Boris Johnson will want to strike a balance between not alienating Britain's European allies and not irritating Trump and possibly jeopardizing future trade ties. Macron set an agenda for the group - France, Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States - that included the defence of democracy, gender equality, education and the environment. He invited Asian, African and Latin American leaders to join them for a global push on these issues. |
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Post by Admin on Aug 25, 2019 22:18:17 GMT
Melania Knauss, a Slovenia native, met business magnate Donald Trump at a party in New York City in 1998. Melania, who at the time was pursuing a career in modelling, said she felt an immediate connection and “great chemistry” with Mr Trump and the two started dating soon after their first meeting. In April 2004, after dating on and off for more than five years, the business tycoon proposed to her with a 15-karat diamond ring. Before becoming US President and First Lady in 2016, the couple appeared much more open to discuss intimate details of their life together.  According to body language expert, Tracey Cox, this is because the dynamic of their relationship completely changed after Mr Trump got elected. In 2017, Ms Cox explained to Independent.ie: "Before he became President, she was incredibly natural and spontaneous; she was used to being in an adored role, she was great for him because she’s pretty, but she’s not a first lady and he’s punishing her. |
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Post by Admin on Aug 26, 2019 17:47:16 GMT
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he would probably host next year's Group of Seven summit of developed world leaders at one of his own properties - the Trump National Doral golf resort in Miami.
The G7 countries take it in turn to stage the summit, often choosing locations that show off areas of natural beauty.
Trump said the Florida resort was a perfect choice, both due to its size and the fact it was just a five-minute drive from Miami airport.
"They love the location of the hotel, they also like the fact is it right next to the airport for convenience. And it is Miami, Doral, Miami, so it is a great area," he said during this year's summit in the French coastal town of Biarritz.
He said a final decision had yet to be taken, but added: "We haven't had anything that could even come close to competing with it, especially when you look at the location."
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Post by Admin on Aug 27, 2019 17:42:26 GMT
The divisions were laid bare on the first day, when President Donald Trump insisted to U.S. allies at an opening dinner for the G-7 summit that Russia belongs back in the elite group of leading nations and then bluntly informed his French counterpart they do not see eye-to-eye on Iran.  But by the end of Day Three, Trump was having a kumbaya moment in public. “There’s been no fights or arguments. No anything. There’s been great unity here. The papers haven’t reported how great it’s been,” he told reporters at his midday meeting Monday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. That was the pattern Trump followed for most of his three-day visit to southwestern France, where only the coastal winds rivaled the breakneck pace of vague and vacillating statements on pressing issues including North Korea, Iran, the environment and trade. The president at times sought to placate allies with assurances that he would work with them to broker trade deals or find areas of compromise despite firmly established differences. It was typical Trump on display on the world stage, refusing to be boxed in by anyone on anything. The president’s meandering statements and conflicting remarks left aides and allies alike guessing at his intended course of action — and his critics reviving questions about his fitness for office. “Sorry, it’s the way I negotiate,” Trump shot back at a reporter during Monday’s press conference when questioned about whether there’s an actual strategy behind his constant back-and-forth on his positions regarding trade with China. “It has done very well for me over the years,” Trump said. “It’s doing even better for the country.” |
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Post by Admin on Aug 30, 2019 17:25:39 GMT
Trump repeatedly refused to hold Russia accountable for annexing Crimea in 2014, blamed former President Barack Obama for Russia's move to annex it, expressed sympathy for Russian President Vladimir Putin, and castigated other G7 members for not giving the country a seat at the table.  John Sipher, a former CIA clandestine operative who spent 28 years at the agency, told Insider of Trump's G7 attendance, "If it weren't for his constant shocking behavior and comments that have dulled our senses, this would register as one of the worst diplomatic blunders in years." Since being booted from the G8 after annexing Crimea, Russia has done little to make up for its actions. In fact, by many accounts, it's stepped up its aggression. In addition to continuing to encroach on Ukraine, the Russian government interfered in the 2016 US election and was behind the attempted assassination of a former Russian spy in the UK. US officials also warn that as the 2020 election looms, the Russians are stepping up their cyberactivities against the US and have repeatedly tried to attack US power grids. "What in God's name made Trump think it would be a good idea to ask to bring Russia back to the table?" the FBI agent told Insider. "How does this serve US national-security interests?" Trump's advocacy for Russia is renewing concerns among intelligence veterans that Trump may be a Russian "asset" who can be manipulated or influenced to serve Russian interests, although some also speculate that Trump could just be currying favor for future business deals. |
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