NATO leaders professed unity on Wednesday at a summit near London BԪַ but a spat over off-the-cuff chit chat at a royal reception rattled their show of solidarity.
U.S. President Donald Trump branded the leader of AmericaBԪַs northern neighbour BԪַtwo-facedBԪַ after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appeared to gossip about Trump in comments caught on camera and microphone.
Trudeau was seen standing in a huddle with French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and BritainBԪַs Princess Anne, daughter of Queen Elizabeth II at Tuesday eveningBԪַs Buckingham Palace reception for NATO leaders.
After Johnson asked Macron, BԪַis that why you were late?BԪַ Trudeau could be heard saying BԪַhe was late because he takes a 40-minute press conference off the top.BԪַ Trudeau confirmed that was a reference to TrumpBԪַs long and unscheduled question-and-answer session with journalists earlier Tuesday.
Trudeau also said: BԪַYou just watched his teamBԪַs jaws drop to the floor.BԪַ He explained Wednesday that was in reference to TrumpBԪַs decision to hold the next Group of Seven meeting at Camp David, the presidential retreat.
Footage of the palace reception was recorded by a pool camera. The clip was posted online by Canadian broadcaster CBC and has been viewed more than 5 million times.
Speaking Wednesday at the summit venue in Watford, outside London, Trump said Trudeau was likely upset that the U.S. president had broached the fact that Canada falls short of the NATO target of spending 2% of its gross domestic product on defence.
BԪַWell heBԪַs two-faced,BԪַ Trump told reporters. BԪַAnd honestly, with Trudeau heBԪַs a nice guy, I find him to be a very nice guy but you know the truth is that I called him out on the fact that heBԪַs not paying 2% and I guess heBԪַs not very happy about it.BԪַ
Trudeau had a quiet word and a handshake with Trump as he arrived at the summit Wednesday, and later tried to shrug off the episode.
BԪַAs you all know, we have a very good and constructive relationship between me and the president,BԪַ Trudeau told reporters at a news conference.
Asked if the incident had given him pause for thought, Trudeau said that ensuring the focus of attention remained on matters of substance BԪַis something that weBԪַre all going to try to do a little harder.BԪַ
Johnson, meanwhile, professed ignorance when asked by reporters about the conversation.
BԪַThatBԪַs complete nonsense,BԪַ he said, adding: BԪַI really donBԪַt know what is being referred to there.BԪַ
Leaders of the 29 NATO states met to mark the 70th anniversary of the military alliance BԪַ and trying to patch up differences over defence spending, the allianceBԪַs strategic direction and member nation TurkeyBԪַs military action in northern Syria.
The two-day gathering ended with a show of unity, as the leaders declared their commitment to the allianceBԪַs principle of collective defence, saying in their final declaration that BԪַan attack against one Ally shall be considered an attack against us all.BԪַ
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Rob Gillies in Toronto contributed to this report.
Jill Lawless, The Associated Press
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