NATO summit 2019: Disputes overshadow anniversary meeting

By Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN

Updated 11:42 a.m. ET, December 4, 2019
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11:22 a.m. ET, December 4, 2019

Canada's Trudeau confirms he was talking about Trump in hot-mic clip

From CNN’s Vasco Cotovio at the NATO summit

In this grab made from video, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau  speaks with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, left, French President Emmanuel Macron, second from right, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, right, during an event at a Buckingham Palace on December 3. Photo: NATO TV/AFP via Getty Images
In this grab made from video, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, left, French President Emmanuel Macron, second from right, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, right, during an event at a Buckingham Palace on December 3. Photo: NATO TV/AFP via Getty Images

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said he was talking about Donald Trump when a "hot mic" appeared to capture him and other NATO leaders mocking the US President.

Addressing journalists at the end of the NATO summit on Wednesday, Trudeau confirmed he was referring to Trump's “impromptu press conference” ahead of a meeting between the two leaders.

The video, which has gone viral, shows British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, French President Emmanuel Macron, Trudeau and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte appearing to have a laugh about Trump's behavior during the summit. But none of the leaders explicitly named Trump.

"Last night I made reference to the fact that there was an unscheduled press conference before my meeting with President Trump. I was happy to be part of it but it was certainly notable," Trudeau said during a Wednesday press conference.

He added that the “jaws dropped” comment referred to Trump’s unexpected announcement that the next G7 summit would be held at Camp David, explaining that he was merely sharing with other leaders where the next gathering would take place. 

Trudeau went on to say that the relationship between the US and Canada is strong, highlighting the recently re-negotiated NAFTA agreement which, he said, is better for Canadians, better for Americans and better for Mexicans. 

Trump greets Trudeau at the NATO summit on Wednesday. Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Trump greets Trudeau at the NATO summit on Wednesday. Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Trudeau also said the relationship between the two countries went well beyond the personal relationship between the US President and the Canadian Prime Minister, but noted that his relationship with Trump was a good one. 

When asked about the moment by a journalist, Trump responded by calling Trudeau "two-faced."

10:49 a.m. ET, December 4, 2019

Trump says calling Trudeau "two-faced" was "funny"

From CNN's Betsy Klein

In another NATO hot mic moment, President Donald Trump was recorded saying it was "funny" when he called Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "two-faced."

An unidentified voice with an American accent prompted the response by Trump: “I think you'll be in double digits for press conferences. It's crazy,” the person said (The President later cancelled the press conference via tweet).

Trump responded, “Oh, and then you know what they'll say. He didn't do a press conference. He didn't do a press conference. That was funny when I said the guy's two-faced, you know that -- they're gone." 

The audio then cut off as the press left the room. The moment was not on camera. 

Earlier Wednesday, Trump said he thought the Canadian PM was “two-faced” when asked about a video that purported to show him mocking the US President to other world leaders.

10:25 a.m. ET, December 4, 2019

Johnson has cleared the Trump hurdle

Analysis from CNN's Luke McGee

Photo: Pool
Photo: Pool

Boris Johnson has almost passed the Trump test.

During his Q&A session with the press on day two of the NATO Summit, the UK Prime Minister brushed off questions concerning his personal relationship with the US President while praising the alliance between the two leaders' countries. 

He then name-checked both French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, making sure to emphasize the extent to which he and his European allies agreed on foreign affairs. 

It was, in truth, a masterclass in how to give a high-profile press conference just over a week before an election in which his relationship with the very unpopular Trump has been used to attack him, while trying to prove that he's not reckless when it comes to Europe. 

Johnson's campaign team had been dreading this NATO summit for weeks. Trump's previous endorsement of Johnson had handed his election rival, Jeremy Corbyn, a tranche of PR grenades that he could launch at will. 

But with Trump due to leave the country in a matter of hours having not caused as much of a stir as many feared, Johnson and his Conservative campaign team has cleared what might be its final hurdle before polls open next Thursday. 

9:58 a.m. ET, December 4, 2019

A moment from last night's reception is now trending worldwide. It's not the one you think

Princess Anne speaks with German Chancellor Merkel at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday evening. Photo: Yui Mok/AFP via Getty Images
Princess Anne speaks with German Chancellor Merkel at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday evening. Photo: Yui Mok/AFP via Getty Images

Trudeau's conversation during the Buckingham Palace reception with several leaders on Tuesday night is not the only moment to have gone viral. If you look on Twitter right now, you'll see that the top trend on the popular social media platform is "Princess Anne."

In a video from last night's Buckingham Palace reception, Donald Trump and his wife Melania can be seen walking towards the royal line where Queen Elizabeth II -- alongside Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall -- is waiting to receive them.

As the British monarch offers her hand to the President, the Princess Royal can be seen in the background by the door covering her mouth. She watches on as the Queen engages in a warm exchange with Trump.

The Queen then looks over apparently to see which world leader is due to receive next and instead notices her daughter. The Queen says something inaudible in Anne's direction before the Princess Royal shrugs and can be heard replying "It's just me" as the group around the 93-year-old sovereign chuckles.

Some on Twitter have suggested the Queen was perhaps "scolding" Anne for missing the line-up. However, that seems unlikely as only Charles and Camilla were supposed to also be in the receiving line, according to Buckingham Palace.

CNN has reached out to Buckingham Palace for clarification on the events in the video but had not heard a response by time of publication.

Watch the moment below:

8:58 a.m. ET, December 4, 2019

Erdogan's "very productive" meeting with Trump

From CNN's Gul Tuysuz in Istanbul

Trump meets with Turkish President Erdogan during the NATO Leaders' Summit on Wednesday. Photo: Handout/Turkish Presidency/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Trump meets with Turkish President Erdogan during the NATO Leaders' Summit on Wednesday. Photo: Handout/Turkish Presidency/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

More details are emerging about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the NATO summit in London on Wednesday.

"Our President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a very productive meeting with US president Donald Trump on the sidelines of the NATO summit," Turkish presidency communication director Fahrettin Altun said in a tweet. 

The meeting lasted for 30 minutes and took place after the main session of the NATO leaders' summit, Turkish state news agency Anadolu reported. 

The Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Minister of Finance Berat Albayrak, Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar, former Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, and Presidential Spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin were also present at the meeting, according to Anadolu. 

9:30 a.m. ET, December 4, 2019

Trump unlikely to do scheduled presser

After making his feelings clear on Trudeau, Trump also clarified what he would be doing this afternoon. And it's unlikely to be another press conference.

The President said he would be having a meeting with "the 2% people" and then "another meeting with Denmark and then we'll probably go directly back to Washington."

Joking with reporters as the bilateral meeting with Merkel wrapped up, Trump said, "I think we've done plenty of press conferences unless you're demanding a press conference -- [then] we'll do one but i think we've answered plenty of questions."

President Trump meets German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday. Photo: Evan Vucci/AP
President Trump meets German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday. Photo: Evan Vucci/AP

He was scheduled to have a press conference at 3:30 p.m. (10:30 a.m. ET).

The White House has not responded to requests for clarification on the status of this event.

8:43 a.m. ET, December 4, 2019

Trump calls Trudeau "two-faced" after viral video

President Trump and Prime Minister Trudeau talk before a NATO round table meeting on Wednesday. Photo: Frank Augstein/AP
President Trump and Prime Minister Trudeau talk before a NATO round table meeting on Wednesday. Photo: Frank Augstein/AP

The US President did not mince his words when asked about footage of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apparently making jokes at his expense went viral overnight.

Trump's first public reaction showed he was unhappy with that video surfacing, responding to a reporter's question by calling Trudeau "two-faced."

"He's two-faced," Trump said, adding "honestly with Trudeau he's a nice guy."

Trump continued: "The truth is I called him out on the fact that he's not paying 2% and I guess he's not very happy about it," Trump said adding "he should be paying 2% and that Canada "has money."

"I can imagine he's not that happy but that's the way it is.

Watch the moment below:

8:28 a.m. ET, December 4, 2019

Trump praises Turkey intervention in Syria

President Trump and Turkish President Erdogan step onto a stage during the NATO leaders meeting on Wednesday. Photo: Francisco Seco/AP
President Trump and Turkish President Erdogan step onto a stage during the NATO leaders meeting on Wednesday. Photo: Francisco Seco/AP

The US President praised Turkey’s intervention in Syria Wednesday.

“The border and the safe zone is working out very well and I give Turkey a lot of credit for that. The ceasefire is holding," Trump said.

He was responding to a question at the NATO summit about his meeting with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who sent troops into Kurdish-controlled regions of Syria after Trump withdrew US forces.

“It was a very good meeting. We discussed Syria. We discussed the Kurds,” Trump said.

“That border is a mess for a long time,” he said, adding: “We have soldiers where the oil is and that’s the way I like it.”

8:19 a.m. ET, December 4, 2019

Happening now: Trump speaks while meeting Merkel as NATO Secretary General gives press conference

The US President is speaking to reporters as he sits down for a bilat with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Separately, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is simultaneously addressing the media at a press conference.