Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) on Sunday sided with the White House in its condemnation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, blaming Canada’s leader for endangering…
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) on Sunday sided with the White House in its condemnation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, blaming Canada’s leader for endangering trade discussions with the U. S.
„While I have serious concerns about President Trump ’s approach to trade talks with Canada, Prime Minister Trudeau has placed our trade relationship with Canada at risk by publicly feuding with President Trump on the world stage,“ Krishnamoorthi said in a statement.
He warned that Trudeau is „sabotaging“ trade negotiations between the U. S. and Canada „by driving both sides into their corners instead of encouraging a more diplomatic dialogue.“
Krishnamoorthi’s comments came hours after the White House escalated its attacks on the Canadian prime minister, signaling a growing rift between the neighboring nations over U. S. trade policy.
White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said Trudeau’s comments at a press conference on Saturday after the Group of Seven (G-7) summit amounted to a „betrayal,“ while Peter Navarro, a Trump trade official, declared there was a „special place in hell“ for foreign leaders who double-cross Trump.
At the news conference, Trudeau said it was „kind of insulting“ that the U. S. implemented steel and aluminum tariffs against Canada on the basis of national security. He pledged to impose retaliatory tariffs against the U. S., adding Canada „will not be pushed around.“
The two advisers argued that Trudeau’s comments undermined Trump ahead of his meeting in Singapore with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this week.
Trump lashed out at Trudeau on Saturday night, calling the Canadian leader „dishonest & weak,“ announcing that he would no longer endorse a joint statement issued by G-7 attendees at summit’s conclusion.
Members of Democratic leadership quickly tore into Trump for reversing his endorsement of joint communique and his rhetoric toward G-7 allies.
“Are we executing Putin’s diplomatic and national security strategy or AMERICA’s diplomatic and national security strategy? After the last few days, it’s hard to tell,” Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N. Y.) tweeted Saturday.
“This week started with @realDonaldTrump boosting a Chinese company identified as a national security threat to the U. S.,” House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) tweeted. “It ended with him standing up for Russia and alienating our allies at the G7. #MAGA ”
