Where Is The Next G-7 Summit? Options After Trump's Golf Resort Is Nixed
The next Group of Seven meeting will be held at Camp David, Maryland, President Trump announced Tuesday more than a month after canceling plans to hold the conclave at his Miami golf resort following an outcry by Democrats.
Trump ignited a firestorm when the administration announced in mid-October the G-7 would meet at his Miami Doral Resort. At the time, acting White House Chief of Staff denied hosting the meeting at the resort would violate the emoluments clause of the Constitution, which prevents elected officials from accepting payments from foreign governments. Mulvaney dismissed Camp David as a possible site, calling it too small and too remote.
Tuesday’s announcement came during a press availability as Trump met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ahead of Tuesday’s opening reception for the 70th anniversary NATO summit at Buckingham Palace.
"We’re going to do it at Camp David, and we’ll be doing some very special things at Camp David," Trump said, calling the federal retreat a “place people like.” "It’s nearby. It’s close. We’re going to give very good access to the press."
The G-7 is scheduled to meet June 10-12, bringing leaders from the U.S., Canada, Italy, Japan, Germany, France and Britain together. As the host, Trump also could invite other world leaders and has hinted he might invite Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Russia was expelled from what was then the Group of Eight after Putin annexed Ukraine’s Crimean territory.
The United States hosted the G-8 in 2012 at Camp David. The compound, originally known as Hi-Catoctin, was built for federal government agents and their families during the Great Depression and later was turned into a retreat for presidents and their families. It has served as the backdrop for numerous diplomatic meetings.
In trying to justify holding the meeting at his Miami resort, Trump claimed he would not have made any money on the deal. PoliticsUSA, however, said the Trump Organization stood to make millions along with garnering the international publicity the meeting would have engendered.
Trump has made no secret of his dislike of Camp David, saying someone would like the “rustic” getaway “for about 30 minutes.” The Navy-run facility costs taxpayers about $8 million a year. In recent weeks, Trump has opened the facility to Republicans, seeking to shore up support ahead of a looming impeachment vote.
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