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As it happenedended

Trump misses climate meeting and says he’ll invite Putin to next G7 amid erratic behaviour at summit

Follow all the latest developments, as they happened

Clark Mindock
New York
,Adam Forrest
Monday 26 August 2019 11:40 EDT
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Trump claims he will attend G7 climate meeting then fails to attend

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Donald Trump has skipped a meeting about climate change and biodiversity attended by other world leaders at the G7 on Monday, in the latest sign that the American government does not view the global threat as a priority.

Separately, meeting German chancellor Angela Merkel, the US president claimed there was “great unity” on how to deal with the Iran crisis. Ms Merkel, however, said there was a long way to go on the issue, which has created considerable headache as tensions have flared between Tehran and Washington.

The snubs came just before Mr Trump attended a joint press conference with French president Emmanuel Macron, where the two leaders claimed to have found unity on many issues — from Iranian nuclear enrichment, to trade.

Later, after Mr Macron left the stage, the American president stuck around for a few questions, where he lavished praise on Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong-un, and at one point called himself an "environmentalist".

Mr Trump has also denied at the summit in France that he had suggested firing nuclear weapons at hurricanes — as was reported by Axios — and suggested his own Miami golf club for next year’s G7. He also claimed China had “called” to ask for trade talks – before a top Chinese official said he was unaware of any call.

Elsewhere, the 2020 Democratic primary field saw some heat, with a new poll showing Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Joe Biden all in a statistical dead heat among national voters.

The poll marked a potentially dramatic fall for Mr Biden from the top of the race, and came after Ms Warren attracted a massive crowd in Seattle — one that has received plenty of media attention for its striking visuals.

Also, Mr Trump's own party's primary field has gotten a bit tighter, with the long-shot entry of former congressman Joe Walsh, a one-time Trump supporter who claims the president has simply gotten too cozy with Russia.

"Just so you understand, China wants to make a deal," Mr Trump says.

Clark Mindock26 August 2019 16:30

"I have a lot of feelings about president Xi," Mr Trump says, before detailing his supposed conversations with the Chinese leader over intellectual property theft.

Clark Mindock26 August 2019 16:31

"Sorry, it's the way I negotiate," Mr Trump says, spreading his arms wide, when asked about global economic instability.

Clark Mindock26 August 2019 16:32

Mr Trump says he believe Boris Johnson is "very smart, and he's very strong, and he's very enthusiastic, and you want to know something else? He loves your country."

Clark Mindock26 August 2019 16:34

"I love the UK. I own great property in the UK. ... I have no idea how my property is doing in the UK because I don't care," Mr Trump says.

Clark Mindock26 August 2019 16:35

"This is the right time for Boris. This is the right time for Boris," Mr Trump says.

Clark Mindock26 August 2019 16:35

"France is a great nation, it's being run a lot of things are happening you know it's not easy what he's doing, he's changing certain ways," Mr Trump says when asked if the UK or EU will be more important to the US after Brexit.

"Boris is different, its a different kind of a deal. Boris has to try to do something with Brexit," he says.

Clark Mindock26 August 2019 16:37

"The United Kingdom is a great incredible place, it's an incredible nation," Mr Trumps ays.

Clark Mindock26 August 2019 16:38

"The European Union is very tough to make deals with, it's very very tough. Just ask Theresa May," Mr Trump says.

Clark Mindock26 August 2019 16:38

"We actually had a pretty good meeting last year," Mr Trump says of last year's G7.

Clark Mindock26 August 2019 16:39

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