G7, open up free-trade

G7 leaders are throwing fits over President Trump’s threats to place tariffs on steel and aluminum. These same leaders threw fits after the president embarrassed them publicly on the world stage for their refusal to meet their promise to pay 2 percent of GDP on defense.

Canada alone has hundreds of tariffs on the importation of U.S. goods, not least of which include 270 percent on American dairy and 70 percent on sausage. How can such nations complain about proposed tariffs against them when they charge tariffs against the U.S.? They do not even attempt to defend their tariffs, only complain about our retaliation. Trump proposes that all nations eliminate tariffs. Would not this be reasonable? The fact is the world does not want fairness, they wish for the U.S. to be a patsy and insist we like it.

President Trump is right, America has been foolish. We allow ourselves to be treated as the “world’s piggy bank” and world’s defender at our expense. And if we suggest there is something wrong with this arrangement we are scolded.

Enough is enough. Europe, pay your share. Europe, open up to free trade.

David Barnes

Spokane