"That's the way it should be, no tariffs, no barriers ... and no subsidies," Trump said, referring to his former college education. "That's the way you learned at the Wharton school of finance, I mean that would be the ultimate thing."
Trump's proposal reflected an entirely free-trade approach to economics, which he said the leaders discussed.
He offered no significant updates on NAFTA negotiations, but suggested that perhaps the United States could negotiate unilateral deals with Canada and Mexico.
Trump repeated that America's allies had repeatedly won on trade deals, hurting American workers and jobs.
"We're the piggy bank that everybody is robbing," Trump said. "And that ends."
Trump asked his economic advisor Larry Kudlow to comment on the discussions, who confirmed that the group of leaders had lenghty discussions about the proposal.
"I, myself, was particularly gratified to hear my president talk about free trade," Kudlow said, praising the president.
Video starts at 7:10 mark:
Comment: Trump now says he is all for free trade when the big news in the last couple of weeks had been exactly the opposite when he imposed new tariffs. Is he just talking hypothetically - as in a 'perfect world' scenario - or is he really asking for the implementation of hardcore free trade? Is that even a good idea? Time will tell. In the meantime:
- US slaps 25% steel tariff on EU, Canada and Mexico - Brussels vows retaliation
- Canada and Mexico follow in EU footsteps, vow to retaliate against Trump's trade tariffs
Check out the recent Sott Radio Network show on this topic:Behind the Headlines: Trump's Economic Nationalism: Dismantling the US Empire