President Trump arrived in France for the annual Group of Seven summit, with the flagging global economy and ongoing trade war with China framing his visit, and the meeting potentially further exposing deep rifts between the U.S. and other countries over trade and climate change.
Just before leaving Washington, D.C., on Friday, Trump increased tariffs on Chinese imports and threatened to force all American companies to leave China. Upon arriving in Biarritz early Saturday, Trump said via Twitter that he had the authority to do so.
Trump cited the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, writing, "For all of the Fake News Reporters that don't have a clue as to what the law is relative to Presidential powers, China, etc., try looking at the Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977. Case closed!"
Trump has previously threatened to invoke the same act to impose tariffs on Mexican goods.
The increasing trade tensions with China loom over Trump's visit to France, where he will meet with leaders of the world's major economies. The G-7 comprises the United States, Germany, France, Japan, Italy, Canada and the United Kingdom.
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11.28.2024