The G-20 summit in Argentina on Friday was a political minefield for President Trump, who avoided Vladimir Putin and exchanged only a brief pleasantry with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman while cozying up to more amenable leaders.
Aside from signing an updated NAFTA deal with Mexico and Canada, the highlight Friday was a trilateral meeting with Prime Ministers Shinzo Abe of Japan and Narendra Modi of India.
“The relationships between our three countries is extremely — extremely good, extremely strong. I think, with India, maybe stronger than ever. And with Japan, I think, stronger than ever,” Trump said as Abe and Modi stood by beaming.
Modi added, “I feel this is a very good occasion for our three countries — countries which have shared values, democratic values — Japan, America and India together. We will be playing a big role together for world peace, prosperity and stability.”
Abe turned on the charm, congratulating Trump on his “historic victory” in the midterm elections — in which Democrats easily captured the House and the GOP picked up two seats in the Senate.
Trump also met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in to discuss the latest developments involving North Korea, including enforcement of sanctions and plans for a second summit between Trump and the North’s Kim Jong Un.
European participants were trying to put up a united front at the summit and were concerned that Trump was using it to advance his own goals via bilateral meetings. European officials said that the US was blocking progress on fixing world trading rules, fighting climate change and dealing with migration.
Diplomats were working to come up with a final statement from the summit in Buenos Aires Friday and Saturday on which all leaders agree. Because of Trump’s resistance, an official in the French president’s office said the statement may contain language that sets the United States apart.
For example, a draft said 19 of the participants agree on the importance of upholding the Paris climate accord, but the US doesn’t. The official said the US was also blocking any mention of migration or of reforming the World Trade Organization.
Putin, meanwhile, warned that Trump’s intention to opt out of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, a Cold War-era pact, “creates risks of uncontrollable arms race.”
Trump will meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday, followed by dinner with Chinese leader Xi Jingping.
With Post wires