Trump floats scrapping all tariffs, barriers at G-7 summit: report

President Trump reportedly asked world leaders at the Group of Seven Summit on Friday to consider “no tariffs” at all amid growing tensions over the administration’s trade moves.

Politico, citing officials who listened and took notes of the discussions, reported that Trump told assembled world leaders that “we should at least consider no tariffs, no barriers — scrapping all of it.”

The newspaper reported that the idea was challenged by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is hosting the summit in Quebec.

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“What about subsidies?” the Canadian leader reportedly asked.

Politico reported that leaders present for the meeting took Trump’s suggestion as largely rhetorical.

“We’ll take it as a starting point,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel, another top opponent of Trump’s tariffs and trade rhetoric, reportedly responded.

World leaders are hoping to convince Trump to back off recently implemented tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, which were levied on U.S. allies including Canada, Mexico and the European Union last week despite months of negotiations between parties over exemptions for the measures.

The European Union and Mexico have both threatened retaliatory measures, while Canada responded in official statements by ridiculing the stated U.S. reasoning of national security for the tariffs.

Both the European Union and Canada have filed complaints against the tariffs with the World Trade Organization (WTO), alleging the measures violate international laws.

“The European Union and Canada have requested WTO dispute consultations with the United States regarding US duties on certain imported steel and aluminium products. The requests were circulated to WTO members on 6 June,” the WTO said in a statement.