An Iconic Photo

By now, POTUS is in Singapore, but the echoes of the Canadian G6+1 Summit are still resounding.

Here is the iconic picture. POTUS is like a stubborn child sitting at a table, complaining to Summit participants standing around him that America is "like the piggy bank that everybody is robbing." His newest compelling argument for protective tariffs on "national security grounds" was put in POTUS's head by Security Advisor John Bolton, the guy with the open mouth and mustache.

In the photo, you will recognize Shinzo Abe, Japan's prime minister, flanked by Yasutoshi Nishimura, Japanese deputy chief cabinet secretary, an expert in trade, and Kazuyuki Yamazaki, Japanese senior deputy minister for foreign affairs. The Europeans stand united from right to left: Angela Merkel, federal chancellor, Emmanuel Macron, the French president, and Theresa May, UK prime minister.

Here the scene is seen from another angle, the French angle covering Merkel but placing Macron in full view.

All photos are ©AP except this one ©French Presidency

Was it Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau entering the scene who had told a joke? On the left is Larry Kudlow, director of the US National Economic Council, who had put into POTUS's head that eliminating all tariffs between G7 nations was the "best way to promote economic growth."

Here are more photos:

POTUS kept the ladies waiting at the breakfast table

Still in perfect harmony?

Ici on parle le français

POTUS doesn't seem amused by Merkel's proposals

Leaving in anger for Singapore

In an interview back home, Angela told her people she had made Trump a proposal to avoid the next escalation stage in the dispute over penalty tariffs on German cars. The US should examine whether these imports really are a strategic weakening of the country. In return, Europe could assess whether US tariffs would also cause strategic weakening. Before taking unilateral action, the strategic impact of such measures should be discussed.

I think the US president won't give a hoot about Merkel's proposal when he decides on car tariffs. As for Angela's remark that the US acted illegally under World Trade Organization rules, POTUS won't give a damn either.

Merkel finished her interview: "It's not a pretty thing. I was talking about disillusionment; it means a lot to me."

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