European Union Leader: Trump Undermines World Order, Helping Those Who Want A ‘New, Post-West Order’

Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, said Friday ahead of the Group of Seven summit in Canada that President Trump is “undermining” the U.S.-created international order and helping those who want a “new, post-West order” that would bring about the end of “liberal democracy and fundamental freedoms.”

“The rules-based international order is being challenged … not by the usual suspects but by its main architect and guarantor, the U.S.,” Tusk told reporters at a news conference according to The Washington Post.

“We will not stop trying to convince our American friends and President Trump that undermining this order makes no sense at all, because it would only play into the hands of those who seek a new, post-West order, where liberal democracy and fundamental freedoms would cease to exist,” he said.

Tusk’s comments come just hours after Trump had suggested Russia be reinstated into the group, resulting in bipartisan condemnation.

“This is weak,” said Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.). “Putin is not our friend and he is not the president’s buddy. He is a thug using Soviet-style aggression to wage a shadow war against America, and our leaders should act like it.”

“Putin’s Russia invaded its neighbors, violated our sovereignty by undermining elections, and attacks dissidents abroad,” former Vice President Joe Biden tweeted. “Yet our President wants to reward him with a seat at the table while alienating our closest democratic allies. It makes no sense.”

Russia was suspended from the then-Group of Eight in 2014 after annexing Crimea.

Tusk suggested leaving the G-7 as it is.

“Naturally we cannot force the U.S. to change its mind,” he said. “Of course we are open to reasonable arguments, whenever something doesn’t function well. There is always room for debate. Even in difficult times like these, and despite all the differences, there is still much more that unites us, than divides us. It is far too early for our adversaries and enemies to celebrate.”

The Hill added:

Last week, Trump sent shockwaves across the EU, Mexico and Canada — where the annual G-7 summit is being held this weekend — when he implemented stiff tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the group, rolling back temporary exemptions.

Shortly after Trump’s announcement, each responded with rhetoric condemning the president’s decision to move forward with tariffs before announcing their own retaliatory measures against the U.S.

French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly told Trump that the tariffs were equal to “economic nationalism,” therefore penalizing everyone.

Trudeau called the tariffs an “affront.”

“These tariffs are an affront to the long-standing security partnership between Canada and the United States, and in particular, to the thousands of Canadians who have fought and died alongside American comrades-in-arms,” he said.