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| Trump Appears to Soften on China, but White House Says He Didn’t | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Less than five hours after President Trump appeared to waver in his threats to escalate a trade war with China, the White House insisted that the president had done no such thing and that his only regret was that he had not been more aggressive. | Less than five hours after President Trump appeared to waver in his threats to escalate a trade war with China, the White House insisted that the president had done no such thing and that his only regret was that he had not been more aggressive. |
| Speaking to reporters earlier Sunday morning, Mr. Trump was asked if he had second thoughts about ratcheting up tariffs and threats against China last week, in moves that rattled global stock markets. | Speaking to reporters earlier Sunday morning, Mr. Trump was asked if he had second thoughts about ratcheting up tariffs and threats against China last week, in moves that rattled global stock markets. |
| “Yeah, sure, why not?” Mr. Trump replied. “Might as well. Might as well. I have second thoughts about everything.” | “Yeah, sure, why not?” Mr. Trump replied. “Might as well. Might as well. I have second thoughts about everything.” |
| Mr. Trump added that “We’re getting along very well with China” and said that he did not expect to declare an emergency that could allow him to order American companies out of China, as he had suggested days earlier. | Mr. Trump added that “We’re getting along very well with China” and said that he did not expect to declare an emergency that could allow him to order American companies out of China, as he had suggested days earlier. |
| But just hours later on Sunday, after Mr. Trump’s comments generated headlines saying he was taking a softer tone toward China, the White House press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, said, “His answer has been greatly misinterpreted.” | But just hours later on Sunday, after Mr. Trump’s comments generated headlines saying he was taking a softer tone toward China, the White House press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, said, “His answer has been greatly misinterpreted.” |
| “President Trump responded in the affirmative — because he regrets not raising the tariffs higher,” she said in a statement emailed to reporters. | “President Trump responded in the affirmative — because he regrets not raising the tariffs higher,” she said in a statement emailed to reporters. |
| Her statement underscored the president’s disdain for being seen as weak or backing down in the face of criticism. But it also reflected the back-and-forth nature of Mr. Trump’s trade confrontation with China, which has shifted between negotiations, threats conveyed over Twitter, and a series of escalating tariffs. | Her statement underscored the president’s disdain for being seen as weak or backing down in the face of criticism. But it also reflected the back-and-forth nature of Mr. Trump’s trade confrontation with China, which has shifted between negotiations, threats conveyed over Twitter, and a series of escalating tariffs. |
| Last week, after China announced retaliatory tariffs on $75 billion in American goods, Mr. Trump reacted furiously. In a series of tweets, he condemned China’s intransigence and vowed to impose even higher tariffs on a broader set of Chinese products. | Last week, after China announced retaliatory tariffs on $75 billion in American goods, Mr. Trump reacted furiously. In a series of tweets, he condemned China’s intransigence and vowed to impose even higher tariffs on a broader set of Chinese products. |
| It seemed on Sunday morning that his attitude had shifted — until Ms. Grisham said it had not, at least for now. | It seemed on Sunday morning that his attitude had shifted — until Ms. Grisham said it had not, at least for now. |
| President Trump on Sunday called the new British prime minister, Boris Johnson, “the right man” to deliver Brexit, and talked up prospects of supporting the project by striking with Britain a “very big trade deal, bigger than we’ve ever had.” | President Trump on Sunday called the new British prime minister, Boris Johnson, “the right man” to deliver Brexit, and talked up prospects of supporting the project by striking with Britain a “very big trade deal, bigger than we’ve ever had.” |
| The comments followed a breakfast between the two leaders and their advisers, their first face-to-face meeting since Mr. Johnson became prime minister last month. | The comments followed a breakfast between the two leaders and their advisers, their first face-to-face meeting since Mr. Johnson became prime minister last month. |
| Mr. Johnson has said he wants to negotiate a deal with the European Union by Oct. 31, when Britain is scheduled to withdraw, but he has also promised to deliver Brexit on that date, with or without an agreement. | Mr. Johnson has said he wants to negotiate a deal with the European Union by Oct. 31, when Britain is scheduled to withdraw, but he has also promised to deliver Brexit on that date, with or without an agreement. |
| He and European leaders have said they are pessimistic about the chances of reaching a pact by then, but he gave a somewhat more hopeful assessment on Sunday. “I think it’s going to be touch and go,” he told the BBC. | He and European leaders have said they are pessimistic about the chances of reaching a pact by then, but he gave a somewhat more hopeful assessment on Sunday. “I think it’s going to be touch and go,” he told the BBC. |
| Mr. Johnson is trying to strike a tricky balance between the bloc and Mr. Trump, a Brexit supporter and critic of European Union trade policies. The prime minister needs a favorable trade agreement with the United States to cushion economic losses from loosening ties to the European Union, Britain’s biggest trade partner. | Mr. Johnson is trying to strike a tricky balance between the bloc and Mr. Trump, a Brexit supporter and critic of European Union trade policies. The prime minister needs a favorable trade agreement with the United States to cushion economic losses from loosening ties to the European Union, Britain’s biggest trade partner. |
| What such a deal would achieve, or when, remains anyone’s guess. And Sunday’s encounter with Mr. Trump, who is unpopular with many Britons, illustrated that, for domestic political reasons, Mr. Johnson has to tread carefully. | What such a deal would achieve, or when, remains anyone’s guess. And Sunday’s encounter with Mr. Trump, who is unpopular with many Britons, illustrated that, for domestic political reasons, Mr. Johnson has to tread carefully. |
| British critics fear that a trade deal with the U.S. could harm the National Health Service by forcing it to pay more for pharmaceuticals, and allow the import of food held to lower standards than in Europe. | British critics fear that a trade deal with the U.S. could harm the National Health Service by forcing it to pay more for pharmaceuticals, and allow the import of food held to lower standards than in Europe. |
| Mr. Johnson said that he had explained these objections to the president, and suggested that there would be “tough talks ahead.” | Mr. Johnson said that he had explained these objections to the president, and suggested that there would be “tough talks ahead.” |
| The prime minister also met in Biarritz with Donald Tusk, the head of the European Council, to discuss Brexit. | The prime minister also met in Biarritz with Donald Tusk, the head of the European Council, to discuss Brexit. |
| Ahead of the gathering, Mr. Tusk said, “I still hope that Prime Minister Johnson will not like to go down in history as Mr. No Deal.” | Ahead of the gathering, Mr. Tusk said, “I still hope that Prime Minister Johnson will not like to go down in history as Mr. No Deal.” |
| President Trump teased a breakthrough in talks with Japan on Sunday morning, saying that the United States was “very close” to a major trade deal. | President Trump teased a breakthrough in talks with Japan on Sunday morning, saying that the United States was “very close” to a major trade deal. |
| “We’re working on a very big deal with Japan and we’re very close to getting it,” he told reporters. “It will be one of the biggest deals we’ve ever made with Japan.” | “We’re working on a very big deal with Japan and we’re very close to getting it,” he told reporters. “It will be one of the biggest deals we’ve ever made with Japan.” |
| He offered no further details, though reports in Japan suggested that negotiators had reached agreement on a plan that would avoid Mr. Trump’s threats to increase tariffs on Japanese autos. | He offered no further details, though reports in Japan suggested that negotiators had reached agreement on a plan that would avoid Mr. Trump’s threats to increase tariffs on Japanese autos. |
| Later, at the start of a face-to-face meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, Mr. Trump referred again to a trade pact, and suggested that he and Mr. Abe could make enough progress in their discussions to finalize the arrangement. | Later, at the start of a face-to-face meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, Mr. Trump referred again to a trade pact, and suggested that he and Mr. Abe could make enough progress in their discussions to finalize the arrangement. |
| “We’ll possibly know by the end of this meeting,” he said. | “We’ll possibly know by the end of this meeting,” he said. |
| Earlier in the day, Mr. Trump credited his own relationship with Mr. Abe for the emerging deal. | Earlier in the day, Mr. Trump credited his own relationship with Mr. Abe for the emerging deal. |
| “As you know,” he said, “Prime Minister Abe and I are very good friends, really good friends.” | “As you know,” he said, “Prime Minister Abe and I are very good friends, really good friends.” |
| Mr. Trump has once again ruffled feathers in Brussels and beyond, by suggesting that Russia be invited back into what used to be known as the Group of 8. | Mr. Trump has once again ruffled feathers in Brussels and beyond, by suggesting that Russia be invited back into what used to be known as the Group of 8. |
| Russia was suspended in 2014 after it seized Crimea from Ukraine and supported militias trying to break parts of eastern Ukraine away from the country. | Russia was suspended in 2014 after it seized Crimea from Ukraine and supported militias trying to break parts of eastern Ukraine away from the country. |
| Mr. Trump said last week that he thought bringing Moscow back into the fold would be “appropriate,” drawing quick rebuffs from European members France, Germany and Britain. | Mr. Trump said last week that he thought bringing Moscow back into the fold would be “appropriate,” drawing quick rebuffs from European members France, Germany and Britain. |
| Administration officials downplayed the issue, noting that Russia had not asked to rejoin the club. But on Sunday, Mr. Trump said the United States, as the host of next year’s meeting, might invite Russia to participate. | Administration officials downplayed the issue, noting that Russia had not asked to rejoin the club. But on Sunday, Mr. Trump said the United States, as the host of next year’s meeting, might invite Russia to participate. |
| At last year’s G7 meeting, the president said Russia should be invited back, and even stated that its annexation of Ukraine was partly justified — a position roundly rejected by major allies of the United States. | At last year’s G7 meeting, the president said Russia should be invited back, and even stated that its annexation of Ukraine was partly justified — a position roundly rejected by major allies of the United States. |
| “Under no condition can we agree with this logic,” Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, said on Saturday. “The reasons why Russia was disinvited in 2014 are still valid.” | “Under no condition can we agree with this logic,” Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, said on Saturday. “The reasons why Russia was disinvited in 2014 are still valid.” |
| When Russia was admitted to the group in the late 1990s, “it was believed that it would pursue the path of liberal democracy, rule of law and human rights,” Mr. Tusk said. “Is there anyone among us who can say with full conviction, not out of business calculation, that Russia is on that path?” | When Russia was admitted to the group in the late 1990s, “it was believed that it would pursue the path of liberal democracy, rule of law and human rights,” Mr. Tusk said. “Is there anyone among us who can say with full conviction, not out of business calculation, that Russia is on that path?” |
| European Union officials have noted that there are other international forums for Russia, like the Group of 20, that include countries like China and Saudi Arabia that are not democracies. | European Union officials have noted that there are other international forums for Russia, like the Group of 20, that include countries like China and Saudi Arabia that are not democracies. |
| Amid fears of an impending recession that could jeopardize his re-election next year, President Trump’s focus at the G7 meeting will be economic, with particular attention on his clash with China. | Amid fears of an impending recession that could jeopardize his re-election next year, President Trump’s focus at the G7 meeting will be economic, with particular attention on his clash with China. |
| But this weekend, Mr. Trump’s advisers have accused President Emmanuel Macron of France, the host of the meeting, of focusing too much on “politically correct bromides” and “niche issues” like global warming and inequality, rather than economic growth. | But this weekend, Mr. Trump’s advisers have accused President Emmanuel Macron of France, the host of the meeting, of focusing too much on “politically correct bromides” and “niche issues” like global warming and inequality, rather than economic growth. |
| They also complained about a tax France recently imposed on tech giants like Facebook and Google. | They also complained about a tax France recently imposed on tech giants like Facebook and Google. |
| Mr. Trump, who has waged an escalating trade war with Beijing, has talked about cutting off trade with China and forcing American companies to stop operating there — extraordinary threats that have sent shock waves through world markets. | Mr. Trump, who has waged an escalating trade war with Beijing, has talked about cutting off trade with China and forcing American companies to stop operating there — extraordinary threats that have sent shock waves through world markets. |
| In briefing reporters before his trip, senior administration officials cited barriers to trade and foreign investment, and “currency stability” as being among the concerns he will raise at the summit meeting — concerns that, for Mr. Trump, inevitably lead back to China. | In briefing reporters before his trip, senior administration officials cited barriers to trade and foreign investment, and “currency stability” as being among the concerns he will raise at the summit meeting — concerns that, for Mr. Trump, inevitably lead back to China. |
| The administration officials specifically cited China’s industrial subsidies, direct government involvement in directing businesses, rules requiring companies to surrender technological secrets in order to enter the Chinese market, and intellectual property theft | The administration officials specifically cited China’s industrial subsidies, direct government involvement in directing businesses, rules requiring companies to surrender technological secrets in order to enter the Chinese market, and intellectual property theft |
| They also cited reform of the World Trade Organization, a recent target of the president’s ire. In particular, he has criticized its trade rules that favor developing countries, which include China, though it now has the world’s second-largest economy. | They also cited reform of the World Trade Organization, a recent target of the president’s ire. In particular, he has criticized its trade rules that favor developing countries, which include China, though it now has the world’s second-largest economy. |
| Sometimes disagreements cannot be cloaked by diplomatic happy-speak. | Sometimes disagreements cannot be cloaked by diplomatic happy-speak. |
| That was the case when Mr. Trump and Shinzo Abe, the prime minister of Japan, speaking to reporters on Sunday, had very different reactions to the fact that Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, continues to test short-range missiles. | That was the case when Mr. Trump and Shinzo Abe, the prime minister of Japan, speaking to reporters on Sunday, had very different reactions to the fact that Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, continues to test short-range missiles. |
| Mr. Trump shrugged it off. | Mr. Trump shrugged it off. |
| “I’m not happy about it. But again, he’s not in violation of an agreement,” the president said, adding that he and Mr. Kim had not talked about such weapons. | “I’m not happy about it. But again, he’s not in violation of an agreement,” the president said, adding that he and Mr. Kim had not talked about such weapons. |
| “I discussed long-range ballistic and that he cannot do,” Mr. Trump said. “And he hasn’t been doing it and he hasn’t been doing nuclear testing. He has done short-range, much more standard missiles. A lot of people are testing those missiles, not just him.” | “I discussed long-range ballistic and that he cannot do,” Mr. Trump said. “And he hasn’t been doing it and he hasn’t been doing nuclear testing. He has done short-range, much more standard missiles. A lot of people are testing those missiles, not just him.” |
| Mr. Trump was clearly focused on whether the North Korean leader had violated agreements between the two of them. But when Mr. Trump asked Mr. Abe to offer his own thoughts, Mr. Abe focused instead on limits set by the United Nations. | Mr. Trump was clearly focused on whether the North Korean leader had violated agreements between the two of them. But when Mr. Trump asked Mr. Abe to offer his own thoughts, Mr. Abe focused instead on limits set by the United Nations. |
| “Our position is very clear that the launch of short-range ballistic missiles by North Korea clearly violates the relevant U.N. Security Council resolution,” Mr. Abe said through a translator. “So in that sense, it was extremely regrettable for us to experience another round of the launch of the short-range ballistic missiles by North Korea in recent days.” | “Our position is very clear that the launch of short-range ballistic missiles by North Korea clearly violates the relevant U.N. Security Council resolution,” Mr. Abe said through a translator. “So in that sense, it was extremely regrettable for us to experience another round of the launch of the short-range ballistic missiles by North Korea in recent days.” |
| But Mr. Trump and Mr. Abe both seemed determined to show that they were allied on the matter. | But Mr. Trump and Mr. Abe both seemed determined to show that they were allied on the matter. |
| “I can understand how the prime minister of Japan feels,” Mr. Trump said. | “I can understand how the prime minister of Japan feels,” Mr. Trump said. |
| Mr. Abe said, “I like to make sure that we — meaning myself and President Trump — will always stay on the same page when it comes to North Korea.” | Mr. Abe said, “I like to make sure that we — meaning myself and President Trump — will always stay on the same page when it comes to North Korea.” |
| After President Trump’s angry, protocol-breaking treatment of the last G7 summit meeting, the organizers this time have tried to take fewer chances. | After President Trump’s angry, protocol-breaking treatment of the last G7 summit meeting, the organizers this time have tried to take fewer chances. |
| At the June 2018 meeting in Canada, Mr. Trump clashed with the other leaders in assailing trade agreements, defending protectionist tariffs and arguing that Russia, which was expelled from the group after seizing territory from Ukraine in 2014, should be allowed back in. | At the June 2018 meeting in Canada, Mr. Trump clashed with the other leaders in assailing trade agreements, defending protectionist tariffs and arguing that Russia, which was expelled from the group after seizing territory from Ukraine in 2014, should be allowed back in. |
| Mr. Trump left that meeting early, and refused to sign a final communiqué when it made reference to the “rules-based international order.” Aboard his plane, he criticized the host, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, for comments at the closing news conference, calling him “meek and mild” and “dishonest and weak.” | Mr. Trump left that meeting early, and refused to sign a final communiqué when it made reference to the “rules-based international order.” Aboard his plane, he criticized the host, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, for comments at the closing news conference, calling him “meek and mild” and “dishonest and weak.” |
| President Emmanuel Macron of France, the host of this year’s meeting in Biarritz, who had a one-on-one lunch with Mr. Trump on Saturday, decided early on that there would be no final communiqué. | President Emmanuel Macron of France, the host of this year’s meeting in Biarritz, who had a one-on-one lunch with Mr. Trump on Saturday, decided early on that there would be no final communiqué. |
| “No one reads the communiqués,” which are drafted in advance, Mr. Macron told reporters last week. Reaching agreement on the wording constrains debate, and he wants it to flow freely, he said. | “No one reads the communiqués,” which are drafted in advance, Mr. Macron told reporters last week. Reaching agreement on the wording constrains debate, and he wants it to flow freely, he said. |
| In a series of early-morning tweets from his hotel room on Sunday, Mr. Trump blamed the “the Fake and Disgusting News” for predicting that this year’s gathering would end in disaster. | In a series of early-morning tweets from his hotel room on Sunday, Mr. Trump blamed the “the Fake and Disgusting News” for predicting that this year’s gathering would end in disaster. |
| In fact, he insisted, “we are having very good meetings, the Leaders are getting along very well.” | In fact, he insisted, “we are having very good meetings, the Leaders are getting along very well.” |
| On trade and other matters, Mr. Trump has upended the assumption that the member countries — highly developed democracies with some of the world’s largest economies — would have broadly compatible views. | On trade and other matters, Mr. Trump has upended the assumption that the member countries — highly developed democracies with some of the world’s largest economies — would have broadly compatible views. |
| After a year of sometimes violent Yellow Vest protests, and accusations of police brutality, the French authorities, wanting to take no chances with the summit meeting, have deployed more than 13,000 security personnel to Biarritz. | After a year of sometimes violent Yellow Vest protests, and accusations of police brutality, the French authorities, wanting to take no chances with the summit meeting, have deployed more than 13,000 security personnel to Biarritz. |
| Meetings among world leaders tend to attract crowds of demonstrators, and the handling of security is widely seen as a test for the French interior minister, Christophe Castaner, and for President Emmanuel Macron. | Meetings among world leaders tend to attract crowds of demonstrators, and the handling of security is widely seen as a test for the French interior minister, Christophe Castaner, and for President Emmanuel Macron. |
| “We will not tolerate any excesses,” Mr. Castaner said last week as he reviewed the security arrangements in Biarritz. “If they occur, we will respond.” | “We will not tolerate any excesses,” Mr. Castaner said last week as he reviewed the security arrangements in Biarritz. “If they occur, we will respond.” |
| There were some clashes on Saturday, with security forces using water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters. | There were some clashes on Saturday, with security forces using water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters. |
| Ordinarily, Biarritz is a small, elegant seaside resort known for good surfing, but it now resembles a nearly impenetrable armed camp. | Ordinarily, Biarritz is a small, elegant seaside resort known for good surfing, but it now resembles a nearly impenetrable armed camp. |
| The local airport and train stations have been shut down for the duration of the summit, there is a no-fly zone overhead, boats are banned or heavily restricted along parts of the coastline, and several roads leading to the heart of the town have been closed. Cars are barred from the beachfront area where world leaders are staying, and access to the city center is strictly controlled, even for local residents. | The local airport and train stations have been shut down for the duration of the summit, there is a no-fly zone overhead, boats are banned or heavily restricted along parts of the coastline, and several roads leading to the heart of the town have been closed. Cars are barred from the beachfront area where world leaders are staying, and access to the city center is strictly controlled, even for local residents. |
| August is peak tourist season, and store and restaurant owners worry that business will suffer, though French officials insist that the legions of officials and journalists descending on Biarritz will make up for any loss of tourists. As the summit meeting approached, local merchants witnessed the unusual sights of empty cafes, quiet streets and calm beaches. | August is peak tourist season, and store and restaurant owners worry that business will suffer, though French officials insist that the legions of officials and journalists descending on Biarritz will make up for any loss of tourists. As the summit meeting approached, local merchants witnessed the unusual sights of empty cafes, quiet streets and calm beaches. |
| Reporting was contributed by Michael Shear and Peter Baker from Biarritz, France; Steven Erlanger and Matina Stevis-Gridneff from Brussels; Aurelien Breeden from Paris; and Richard Pérez-Peña and Stephen Castle from London. | Reporting was contributed by Michael Shear and Peter Baker from Biarritz, France; Steven Erlanger and Matina Stevis-Gridneff from Brussels; Aurelien Breeden from Paris; and Richard Pérez-Peña and Stephen Castle from London. |