Fact Check: António Costa expressed that creating uncertainty in economics and trade is not appropriate at the time of the G7 summit in Canada on June 9, 2018.

Fact Check: António Costa's Statement on Economic Uncertainty at the G7 Summit

What We Know

António Costa, the President of the European Council, made a statement during a press conference at the G7 summit held in Canada on June 8-9, 2018. He emphasized the importance of avoiding economic uncertainty and trade problems during this critical time. Specifically, Costa stated, "This is not the right moment to create uncertainty on the economics, it is not the right moment to create problems on trade, because we need to strengthen our economic bases, the United States need also to strengthen their economic bases" (source). This statement was made in the context of urging U.S. President Donald Trump to reconsider his trade policies, which were perceived as detrimental to global economic stability.

The G7 summit itself was marked by tensions, particularly regarding trade relations, as the United States had recently initiated tariffs that affected various countries, leading to concerns about a trade war (source). Costa's remarks were aligned with the broader agenda of the summit, which sought to promote stability and cooperation among member nations.

Analysis

Costa's statement is corroborated by multiple sources, including a detailed account from Politico, which reported on the press conference where he and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed the need for fair and predictable trade relations. The context of his statement is crucial; it was made amid rising trade tensions and calls for the G7 to present a united front against protectionist measures.

The reliability of the sources is strong. The Wikipedia entry on the G7 summit provides a comprehensive overview of the event, including its significance and the geopolitical climate at the time. Politico, known for its political reporting, also offers a detailed account of the discussions that took place during the summit, further validating Costa's comments.

Costa's emphasis on economic stability reflects a consensus among European leaders at the summit, who were concerned about the implications of U.S. trade policies on global markets. His statement is not only a reflection of his views but also represents the collective stance of the European Union leaders at that time.

Conclusion

The claim that António Costa expressed that creating uncertainty in economics and trade is not appropriate during the G7 summit in Canada on June 9, 2018, is True. His remarks were made in a clear context of advocating for economic stability and against protectionist measures, which aligns with the broader discussions and objectives of the summit.

Sources

1. 44th G7 summit - Wikipedia
2. Remarks by President António Costa at the joint press ... - Consilium
3. EU urges Trump to ditch trade war as G7 kicks off - POLITICO
4. EU calls on Trump to end trade war at G7 summit
5. The Charlevoix G7 Summit Communique - Affaires mondiales Canada
6. G7 summit updates: Pilot violates Kananaskis no-fly zone