
President Donald Trump arrived at the G-7 summit in Canada after throwing another bomb on his way there – saying Russia should be allowed back into the group of industrial nations for talks, then talked over the Canadian prime minister to say there would be a 'joint statement.

Trump posed for a brief photo-op with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Friday afternoon.

'Thank you very much,' Trump said – is what is often really an invitation for reporters to ask him a question.

When a reporter tried to ask whether Trump and Trudeau – who have been feuding over trade – would issue a joint statement, Trudeau tried to put a quick end tp the event.

'We’ll see you guys,' he said.

But Trump immediately answered the question anyway. 'I think we’ll have a joint statement.'

Then Trudeau shut down any potential press conference after Trump threw barbs at a long morning impromptu event in Washington. 'Merci tout le monde,' he said, repeating the salutation twice as he thanked the group.

Trump's unexpected announcement on Russia came after he and allies France and Canada have been engaged in an escalating trade war and rhetorical back-and-forth – and as a special counsel continues to probe Russian influence in the U.S. presidential election.

Although he got a warm welcome from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a scheduled meeting with French President Emanuel Macron got scratched at the outset.

Aides were able to cobble together a meeting for later on Monday.

'We've had really a very good relationship, very special,' Trump said at first. 'A lot of people wrote a couple of things that weren't quite true – a little bit accurate, perhaps – we've had a little test every once in a while when it comes to trade,' the president then acknowledged.

Then Trump both complained about EU trade and complimented his counterpart.

'The United States has had a very big trade deficit for many years with the European Union and we are working it out and Emmanuel's been very helpful in that regard,' Trump said. 'And something's going to happen. I think it will be very positive.'

A family photo saw Trump greet other leaders apparently warmly - although the start of official business at a round table session saw Trump photographed looking less than happy.

Trump arrived in Malbaie, Charlevoix, Quebec, late, having given reporters an extended unscheduled briefing on the South Lawn of the White House.

In contrast to most of the leaders, Trump went solo, saying that the First Lady, Melania Trump, has been told by doctors not to fly after a 'four-hour operation', which was far more serious than previously reported.

The world leaders had a lunch of locally-sourced food, a far cry from Trump's preferred burgers, and posed for a 'family photo' overlooking the St Lawrence River.

Russia continues to remain under U.S. and European sanctions for its annexation and incursion into part of Ukraine. Russia got kicked out of the group after it annexed Crimea.

'They should let Russia come back in because we should have Russia at the negotiating table,' Trump said before boarding Marine One.

Family time: European Council President Donald Tusk, British Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker pose at the start of the G7 in La Malbaie, Charlevoix, Quebec

Time for business: Trump sits beside Justin Trudeau at the start of the first formal G7 session. The Canadian prime minister is hosting and therefore chairing the summit

Trade: Trump is making his push against what he says are unfair barriers to U.S. trade the center of his summit strategy

Complaint: Trump had been said to be tired of British minister Theresa May's tone and did not appear to be offering her warm looks

Working together: Trump and Merkle had a rare moment of synchronicity as they both reached under the table

Frank exchanges: Trump suggested that the would use the G7 to press his case that trade is structurally unfair to the U.S.

Cheering up: Trump is spending just 24 hours at the summit, leaving early before sessions on climate change and the environment to head for his nuclear summit with Kim Jong-Un in Singapore

Finger-pointing: Trump came to the summit promising he would talk about 'the long time unfair trade practiced against the United States'. He gestured at Japan's Shinzo Abe as the formal business of the summit began

Host: Justin Trudeau is chairing the summit, which moves from country to country. The meeting is taking place in La Malbaie, Charlevoix, Quebec

Get-together: Emmanuel Macron put his arm on Trump after the family photo - but he had scratched a one-on-one meeting with the U.S. president after a Twitter outburst

Encounter: Angela Merkel had brief one-on-one discussions with Trump after the family photo was taken

Down to work: Seated clockwise from top center: German Chancellor Angela Merkel; US President Donald Trump; Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; French President Emmanuel Macron; Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe; Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte; President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker; President of the European Council Donald Tusk; and British Prime Minister Theresa May

Scenic: Canada is using the G7 as a chance to promote the beauty of Quebec, with the summit being held at a hotel overlooking the St Lawrence River in Quebec

G6 plus one: Other leaders spoke before the summit about how the other members - Canada, Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Japan and the European Union, were in accord on trade and it was Trump who was out of step

'Why are we having a meeting without Russia being in the meeting?' Trump asked.

'They threw Russia out. They should let Russia come back in.'

His unexpected gesture toward Moscow came in an extended extemporaneous press event under the roar of Marine One's engines, where the president also:

Said he was considering pardoning boxing legend Muhammad Ali, although the Supreme Court already overturned his draft-dodging conviction

Blasted fired FBI Director James Comey and his 'band of thieves'

Announced that First Lady Melania Trump was on doctors' orders not to fly following her four-hour 'operation' and says she wanted to join him on his trip

Defended embattled EPA chief Scott Pruitt, who is under fire for having an aide try to hunt down a used Trump Tower mattress as well moisturizing lotion and using pull to get his wife a chicken franchise, but said he wasn't 'blameless'

Said he was considering granting 3,000 pardons

Said further that he wanted protesting NFL players to recommend people who had suffered unfairness in the justice system for potential pardons

Proclaimed he wouldn't need to pardon himself from the 'made up fantasy' of the Russia probe

Blasted NAFTA

Commented on the 'very important leaker' who was indicted Thursday and is charged with passing Senate Intelligence panel information to a reporter he dated who had her phones and records seized

Reassured Canadian and European leaders furious over U.S. tariffs that 'when it all straightens out, we'll all be in love again'

Offered 'heartfelt condolences' for chef and author Anthony Bourdain, who committed suicide

Called Dennis Rodman, who is traveling to Seoul due to his bizarre friendship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, a 'great rebounder.'

Trump described himself as 'Russia's worst nightmare,' even as he made the pitch for their inclusion.

The country was removed from what had been the G-8 over its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.

'Russia should be in this meeting. Why are we having a meeting without Russia being in the meeting?' he asked.

Trump's planned bilateral meeting with French President Emanuel Macron was already expected to be a source for fireworks, after Trump slapped steel and aluminum tariffs on European allies, and Macron said the G7 could work without the U.S. if it must.

SORRY DONALD, THE BURGER IS OFF Justin Trudeau offered no concessions to Trump's well-known taste for burgers, meatloaf and ice cream. Here is the menu from the G7's opening lunch. Arctic char escabeche perfumed with Labrador tea Buckwheat salad with red apple, rhubarb, and balsam fir spiral Veal Dessert of haskap berry and cedar snowball with northern saffron creme anglaise Advertisement

The White House told reporters it was working to reschedule the Macron meeting after it suddenly fell off the schedule.

Instead, Trump only briefly greeted Macron and the French first lady on a terrace at the summit.

Trump cast his opinion on Russia in pragmatic terms, though he said it was up to the group.

'I would recommend, and it's up to them, but Russia should be in the meeting. It should be a part of it,' he said.

'You know, whether you like it or not, and it may not be politically correct, but we have a world to run,' Trump told reporters in extended remarks before his trip.

'And in the G7, which used to be the G8, they threw Russia out. They should let Russia come back in,' the president said.

It is just the latest in a series of times the president has sought to bolster ties with the Kremlin, including resisting a sanctions bill pushed by Congress that he ultimately signed, calling for warmer relations with Moscow, and restating Russian President Vladimir Putin's denials of election interference after a one-on-one meeting.

Get ready for my close-up: Justin Trudeau was at the center of the family group as the host and was waiting for Trump while (from left) Theresa May, Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron and Shinzo Abe prepared for the family photo

This is the new guy: Trump appeared to joke as he stood beside Italy's prime minister Giuseppe Conte, the newest world leader. The G7 is made up of the seven largest economies plus the European Union

Chance to make allies: Italy's Giuseppe Conte and Jean-Clause Juncker, president of the European Commission, flank Trump as they walk back from the family photo

Not too warm: Trump flamed other world leaders on trade barriers before flying to Canada for the summit, including Emmanuel Macron, who brought his wife Brigitte

So much to say: Trump had used twitter before the G7 meeting to attack Justin Trudeau claiming that U.S. dairy farmers are unfairly treated

A handshake, or an embrace: Trump was effusive as he greeted Justin Trudeau who is hosting the G7, but it was Emmanuel Macron who was hugged by the Canadian. The French and Canadian leaders were both attacked by Trump on twitter

Traveling solo: Justin Trudeau was with his wife, Sophie Gregoire, as he greeted Trump, but the president said the First Lady has been told not to fly for four weeks

Happy family meal: Lunch, a distinctly non-Trumpian menu which included Arctic char perfumed with Labrador tea, saw him seated between Germany's Angela Merkel and Britain's Theresa May. To the right of may is Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, French president Emmanuel Macron and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau

Scenic outlook: The hotel where the summit is being held overlooks the St Lawrence bay

Grand setting: The Canadians are hoping to showcase the beauty of Quebec with their hosting of the G7

WARM WELCOME: President Donald Trump is greeted by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (C) and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau during the G7 Summit in La Malbaie, Quebec, Canada, June 8, 2018

President Donald Trump (L) speaks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (C) and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau during the G7 Summit in La Malbaie, Quebec, Canada, June 8, 2018

He's here: Trump was a late arrival at La Malbaie, Charelvoix, Quebec, after leaving the White House via an impromptu briefing with reporters. He was driven in an armored Suburban - rather than The Beast - to the hotel where it is being held

'They should let Russia come back in because we should have Russia at the negotiating table,' Trump said as he called for Russia to be put back in the G7, making it the G8

Where is Russia? Trump said he wanted to see Vladimir Putin at the G-7 summit - after a series of attacks on other leaders there, including Justin Trudeau and Emmanuel Macron

Trump's bold pronouncement came after he already has been engaged in angry back-and-forth with traditional allies France and Canada in a trade war. The Trump administration slapped tariffs on steel and aluminum imported form the allies, citing a national security exception.

The Canadian prime minster blasted back mentioning Canada's military contributions in Afghanistan, while French President Emanuel Macron said Thursday the remaining six G6 nations could operate without U.S. leadership.

Russia didn't jump at the offer Trump extended in remarks to reporters.

'Russia is focused on other formats, apart from the G7,' Kremlin spokesman said, according to state-sponsored Sputnik media.

The U.S. and other leading industrial nations kicked Russia out of the G8 in 2014, after its invasion of Ukraine and seizing of Crimea.

'International law prohibits the acquisition of part or all of another state's territory through coercion or force," according to a joint statement at the time. "To do so violates the principles upon which the international system is built. We condemn the illegal referendum held in Crimea in violation of Ukraine's constitution.'

The statement continued: 'We also strongly condemn Russia's illegal attempt to annex Crimea in contravention of international law and specific international obligations.'

Other leaders of the G7 are set to clash with Trump when they pressure him to lift sanctions on steel and aluminum they fear could lead to a trade war.

Relationship: The call for Putin to be at the G-7 will only underline questions over the nature of the relationship between Trump and the Kremlin strongman

I'm off: Trump's tweet shortly before he boarded Marine One which took aim at both the country's G-7 partners and the Mueller probe

Trump attacked French President Macron who fired back on Twitter that the summit did not need the US: 'The American President may not mind being isolated, but neither do we mind signing a 6 country agreement if need be'

French President Macron and President Trump had a close relationship. Trump and the first lady hosted the French president and his wife for their first official state dinner.

Trump is scheduled to leave early on Saturday for Singapore to prepare for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday.

Trump is planning to leave the G7 summit early - skipping the climate discussions - following a furious Twitter spat with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Trump also attacked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, labeling him as 'indignant' and accusing him of damaging US agriculture, while complaining that both he and President Macron 'are charging the U.S. massive tariffs.'

Macron fired back on Twitter that the summit did not need the US.

'The American President may not mind being isolated, but neither do we mind signing a 6 country agreement if need be,' he wrote.

'Because these 6 countries represent values, they represent an economic market which has the weight of history behind it and which is now a true international force.'

Now Trump, who will meet with both Macron and Trudeau tomorrow, has announced he plans to leave the summit several hours early. The White House confirmed that he will depart mid-morning on Saturday, skipping the sessions on climate change and the environment.

A White House aide will take his place.

Trump reportedly even considered scrapping the visit to Canada entirely because he'd be outnumbered on issues like trade and climate change, sources told CNN.

The US president was also unhappy over Trudeau's barbs about Canada's better relationship with the US under Barack Obama.

'Prime Minister Trudeau is being so indignant, bringing up the relationship that the U.S. and Canada had over the many years and all sorts of other things...but he doesn't bring up the fact that they charge us up to 300% on dairy — hurting our Farmers, killing our Agriculture!' Trump tweeted Thursday.

The tweet followed another, where he wrote that: 'The EU trade surplus with the U.S. is $151 Billion, and Canada keeps our farmers and others out.'

He concluded his message by writing: 'Look forward to seeing them tomorrow.'

The summit starts Friday in Canada.

Trump will come face-to-face at the gathering in Charlevoix, Quebec, with world leaders whose views do not line with his on a range of issues from trade to the environment as well as Iran and the construction of a new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem.

And his tweet sets a confrontational tone going into the gathering.

Macron has already arrived in Canada where he and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned Trump his actions had put his people's 'jobs on the line'.

The Canadian premier encouraged Trump to reconsider his decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.

'American jobs are on the line because of his actions and because of his administration,' Trudeau said on Parliament Hill in Ontario.

'When we can underscore this, and we see that there's a lot of pressure within the US, perhaps he will revise his position.'

Macron, who arrived in Ottawa on Wednesday evening for talks in advance of the summit, agreed.

'A trade war doesn't spare anyone,' he said.

Macron and Trump have had a close relationship. Trump hosted the French president and his wife for his first official state dinner.

But relations have reportedly become tense since Trump made his decision to raise steel and aluminium tariffs on Mexico, Canada and the European Union.

Friday's G7 meeting is expected to be tense as Trump takes one-on-one time with Macron, Trudeau and British Prime Minister Theresa May.

The president may find more success at his June 12 summit in Singapore with North Korean President Kim Jong-Un.

Its seems likely that the Trump will enjoy a warmer encounter with the autocrat from Pyongyang than with his Canadian hosts and European and Japanese allies.

Leaders like Trudeau and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel admit it will be difficult to even agree on a joint communique at the two-day meeting.

The flames have already been thrown.

And Tommy Vietor, who served as President Obama's national security spokesperson, retweeted Trump's throw down with these words: 'There's just no reason to be an insufferable prick to our closest allies.'

Trump fumed at Trudeau during a contentious phone call on the administration's new tariff policy, attacking Canada for burning down the White House - a feat performed by British troops in the War of 1812.

Canada didn't exist for another 55 years - until 1867 when the colonies of Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia came together to form the nation. Yet, Trump reportedly quipped to Trudeau during a call, 'Didn't you guys burn down the White House?'

Trudeau had been pressing Trump on how he could justify the new steel and aluminium tariffs as a 'national security' issue, CNN reported.

In response, Trump brought up the War of 1812 when British troops burned down the presidential residence on August 24, 1814. They also looted and set the U.S. Capitol building aflame.

Obama official Tommy Vietor criticized the president

Trudeau rebuffed U.S. claims the tariff hike was a national security issue

Trudeau has vocally slammed Trump's reasoning for his new steel and aluminum tariff policies, saying it is 'insulting and unacceptable' to say Canada is a threat to the United States.

'The idea that we are somehow a national security threat to the United States is quite frankly insulting and unacceptable,' he said on NBC's 'Meet the Press' on Sunday.

Trump last week allowed Canada and the European Union's exemptions from steel and aluminum tariffs he introduced this spring to expire, which resulted in the U.S. imposing tariffs of 25 percent and 10 percent, respectively, on steel and aluminum imports from Canada, Mexico and the European Union.

Trump strummed the tune Wednesday that the U.S. has the 'worst trade deals ever made' that his administration is scrapping for ones that are 'really fantastic.'

'And we're going to have now fair trade deals. We have made the worst deals ever made. NAFTA is a disaster,' he said, referring to the existing deal between the U.S. Mexico and Canada. 'World Trade Organization is a disaster. I could go deal after deal, and it's been very unfair to our country, to our workers, to our companies, and to everybody else involved. And we're changing them around rapidly.'

The U.S. has a $8.4 billion trade surplus in goods and services with Canada, according to a report from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

But looking at trade in goods alone, Canada has a surplus of $17.5 billion last year, according to the same USTR report.