Donald Trump arrives late to Gender Equality Advisory Council meeting at G7 summit

Sophie Williams

Updated 9 June 2018 at 11:08 am

The president was late to the meeting as he was “huddling with some senior staffers discussing G-7 related issues.”: REUTERS

US president Donald Trump arrived late to the Gender Equality Advisory Council breakfast at the G7 summit.

Mr Trump missed the start of the meeting as he had been "huddling with some senior staffers discussing G-7 related issues."

The breakfast had been billed as a chance for leaders to draft “concrete actions for the G7 to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment,” reports CBC.

Women’s empowerment is one of the five themes of this year’s G7 summit held in Quebec, Canada.

Mr Trump missed Prime Minister Trudeau’s introductory remarks forcing the president to start his address again.

Mr Trudeau addressed the meeting: “Every topic we discuss needs to reflect on its impact on women as well as further intersectionalities, whether it be race, gender identity or background or cultures.”

The breakfast meeting covered the issue of women's empowerment (AP)

During the breakfast meeting, the Gender Equality Advisory Council suggested funding developing and conflict-affected countries to improve access to at least 12 years of education.

Mr Trump is leaving the summit early so he can arrive in Singapore on time for his summit with Kim Jong-un.

The summit is due to take place on Tuesday.

He will be missing meetings on protecting the world’s oceans and efforts to try and halt climate change.

The summit has been eventful for Mr Trump as he called for Russia to be able to re-join the group. Russia was suspended from the group in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea.

Before the summit, Mr Trump attacked Canada’s trade policies on Twitter.

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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2018

He also wrote: “Please tell Prime Minister Trudeau and President Macron that they are charging the U.S. massive tariffs and create non-monetary barriers. The EU trade surplus with the U.S. is $151 Billion, and Canada keeps our farmers and others out. Look forward to seeing them tomorrow.”