President Trump’s aides are reportedly frustrated that the focus of the Group of Seven summit in France between world leaders is too centered around “niche issues” instead of economic problems that the countries must tackle.
The New York Times reported that senior administration officials have accused French President Emmanuel Macron of purposely fixating the summit on issues that play into his favor at home, such as climate change, income inequality, and gender inequality. They blamed Macron for what they perceived as the French leader emphasizing “differences” with the Trump administration.
U.S. officials also said they pleaded with Macron aides to shift some of the focus on global economic issues, but their requests were largely ignored. They said Macron had violated the tradition of the G-7 summit of ensuring that certain nations’ economic slowdowns do not advance globally.
“France, this year’s host, wants the Group of 7 to stay silent on these core economic issues,” White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow wrote in an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal.
Kudlow alleged that the French were too focused on “politically correct bromides” and warned that the G-7 was “in danger of completely losing its way.”
“Trade and the global economy have gotten short shrift,” Kudlow wrote.
Trump and Macron met for a private lunch on Saturday in Biarritz, France, before the summit began. Trump stressed the pair had a “very good relationship” during a press gaggle at the lunch.
“We’ve been friends for a long time,” Trump said. “And every once in a while, we go at it just a little bit — not very much. But we get along very well. We have a very good relationship — sort of, I think I can say, a special relationship. And I think we’ll accomplish a lot this weekend, and I look forward to it.”
Macron reportedly discussed the weekend’s schedule during the lunch, telling Trump the world leaders would speak about foreign policy issues regarding Libya, Syria, Ukraine, North Korea, and Iran.
Politico revealed that some White House officials conveyed frustrations with Macron’s planned agenda.
“It’s our view that with France trying to drive these other issues outside of global economics, national security and trade, they’re trying to fracture the G-7,” the official reportedly said.
