Wrapping up the G7 Summit in France, President Donald Trump expressed confidence on Monday that trade negotiations between the U.S. and China would produce a deal, while the President also left open the possibility of joining other leaders in talks with the leader of Iran about that nation's nuclear ambitions.
"We can't let them have a nuclear weapon," Mr. Trump said of Iran. "Can't let that happen."
“We need to be sure that Iran will never get a nuclear weapon,” said the French leader, part of a group of European countries who have remained in the nuclear deal worked out with Iran - but rejected by President Trump.
The idea of a future meeting with the Iranian leader had clearly been pressed by Macron - whether it happens is unclear - but the American President left that door open.
President Trump: "Iran can be a great nation, I'd like to see that happen, but they can't have nuclear weapons."
— CSPAN (@cspan) August 26, 2019
Full video here: https://t.co/iNxoD7jsWC pic.twitter.com/OfaUUB8xTw
In his joint news conference with the French President - and then in a solo Q&A with reporters - President Trump repeatedly said he believed that his threat of high tariffs on imports from China would help push Beijing back to the negotiating table, and into a trade deal.
But Mr. Trump also made clear that the deal cannot be more of the same.
“And if it's not better - let's not do business together,” as he said the Chinese had been enjoying a very unfair trade partnership with the United States.
“This is a deal which has to be better for us,” the President told reporters.
President Trump on China: "I think they want to make a deal very badly."
— CSPAN (@cspan) August 26, 2019
Full video here: https://t.co/iNxoD7jsWC pic.twitter.com/JSokLFh4cQ
The end of this G7 Summit was much different than the 2018 version in Canada - when the President left early - and unleashed a series of jabs at the Canadian Prime Minister.
The U.S. will host the G7 in 2020 - the President made clear that he thinks his Doral resort in Miami would be the best place for that gathering.
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