Yves Herman/Reuters
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Donald Trump
- President Donald Trump reportedly threw Starburst candies onto a table at the G7 summit for German chancellor Angela Merkel, saying "Here, Angela. Don't say I never give you anything."
- Eurasia Group President Ian Bremmer told CBS News that the incident occurred at the end of the summit after world leaders pressured Trump to sign the joint communiqué.
- The summit was marked by tensions between Trump and American allies over trade.
Almost two weeks after the historically tense G7 summit in Canada, more details are emerging about the tensions between world leaders.
The summit took place with the backdrop of an escalating trade battle between the US, Europe, and Canada.
Just hours before the summit, President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and French President Emmanuel Macron exchanged slights over Twitter.
Appearing on CBS This Morning on Wednesday, Eurasia Group President Ian Bremmer reported another tense interaction between Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, with whom he has a rocky diplomatic relationship.
Bremmer said at the end of the summit, Merkel and Trudeau were pressing Trump to sign the joint communiqué, a statement expressing common diplomatic goals traditionally signed by all parties to G7 summits.
"Trump was sitting there with his arms crossed, clearly not liking the fact that he felt like they were ganging up on him. He eventually agreed, he said he'll sign it," Bremmer said. "At that point he stood up, he put his hand in his pocket, his suit jacket pocket, and he took two Starburst candies out, threw them on the table, and said to Merkel: 'Here, Angela. Don't say I never give you anything.'"
CBS host Gayle King then asked Bremmer if it was possible the "Starburst outburst" was just a friendly gesture and an attempt at humour on Trump's part.
"It's hard to, keeping in mind that Trump didn't want to go to the G7," Bremmer said. "He was convinced by his advisors the day before that he needed to. And one thing we know about Trump is when he's told to do things he doesn't want to do, he doesn't respond easily."
Bremmer added that world leaders and diplomats he had spoken to were "extraordinarily disheartened" at Trump's lack of enthusiasm or interest in working with allies at summit.
After the G7 summit, Trump attacked Trudeau again and withdrew his support for the communiqué.
Based on Justin's false statements at his news conference, and the fact that Canada is charging massive Tariffs to our U.S. farmers, workers and companies, I have instructed our U.S. Reps not to endorse the Communique as we look at Tariffs on automobiles flooding the U.S. Market!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 9, 2018