13 June 2018•Update: 13 June 2018
By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON
President Donald Trump tore into Robert De Niro Tuesday after the fabled actor issued an apology to Canada amid a growing trade spat between Washington and Ottawa.
"Robert De Niro, a very Low IQ individual, has received to [sic] many shots to the head by real boxers in movies," Trump said on Twitter. "I watched him last night and truly believe he may be 'punch-drunk.'"
"Wake up Punchy!" he added, referring to De Niro, after claiming the U.S. economy "is the best it’s ever been".
The actor on Monday issued an apology to the people of Canada for the "idiotic behavior of my president" following Trump's decision to impose steel and aluminum tariffs on imports from countries abroad, including Canada, citing national security.
Canadian, European and Mexican officials have dismissed Trump's rationale, vowing retaliatory tariffs on a series of American goods including stainless steel ingot, metal bars, food products such as yogurt and maple syrup, and whiskey.
"It's a disgrace. And I apologize to Justin Trudeau and the other people at the G7. It's disgusting," De Niro said at the groundbreaking of a restaurant he is co-launching, referring to the Canadian premier.
Trump has faced widespread criticism from close U.S. allies for his decision, including Trudeau.
Prior to launching his attacks on De Niro, Trump said Tuesday he would inflict economic punishment on “the people of Canada” because the Canadian prime minister spoke publicly against Trump’s tariffs.
There was nothing new in what Trudeau said, having previously stated that Canada was “insulted” by Trump's national security rationale for the metals tariffs.
Trudeau also said he would stand up for Canadians. He repeated both statements several times in the week leading up to the G7 Summit in Quebec.
But after viewing the press conference on television Saturday, it set Trump off on a tweet storm, accusing Trudeau of dishonesty and calling him “weak” as he pulled the U.S. out of a joint G7 communique.
