Civic Register
| 6.8.18

Trump Wants Russia Back in G-7

Join us and tell your reps how you feel!

What’s the story?

  • President Donald Trump on Friday called for Russia to be invited back into the Group of 7 leading economies.  
  • Moscow was dropped from what had been the G-8 following its annexation of Crimea in 2014.
"They threw Russia out, they should let Russia come back in, because we should have Russia at the negotiating table," the president said Friday as he prepared to leave for the G-7 summit in Quebec City.
  • The G-7 is made up of the U.S. and allies Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.

What does it matter?

  • “Now, I love our country. I have been Russia’s worst nightmare… But with that being said, Russia should be in this meeting,” Trump said as he left the White House. “Whether you like it or not, and it may not be politically correct, but we have a world to run… They should let Russia come back in.”
  • Trump’s remarks are expected to further isolate him from the other G-7 countries, most of which have been sparring with the president over his steel and aluminum tariffs.
  • French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted:
  • Trump, naturally, responded on Twitter, accusing Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of "charging the U.S. massive tariffs” and creating “non-monetary barriers."

What’s Congress saying?

Lawmakers from across the political spectrum criticized Trump’s call for Russia to be invited back to meetings of global economic powers.

  • Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), said Trump’s "support for inviting Russia back into the G-7, just after they meddled in the election to support his campaign, will leave millions of Americans with serious questions and suspicions."
  • Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) flatly tweeted:
  • And Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) released a statement saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin “chose to make Russia unworthy of membership in the G-8" and "nothing he has done since then has changed that most obvious fact."

What do you think?

Should Russia be readmitted into the G-7? Do you agree with the president that “we should have Russia at the negotiating table”? Hit Take Action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.


—Josh Herman


(Photo Credit: Derek Brumby / iStock)