Moment Justin Trudeau and other Nato leaders appear to mock Donald Trump behind his back

Luke O'Reilly4 December 2019
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Justin Trudeau, Emmanuel Macron and Boris Johnson have been caught on camera appearing to gossip about Donald Trump at the Buckingham Palace Nato reception.

A clip from the reception, which has been widely shared online, seems to show the group of Nato leaders mocking the US President behind his back during the meeting on Tuesday evening.

Leaders from the 29 Nato member states, who will start talks on Wednesday at The Grove near Watford, attended the reception hosted by the Queen before visiting Downing Street .

In the video, the Canadian Prime Minister is heard joking about a "40-minute press conference" to Mr Johnson, Mr Macron and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as they sip drinks.

The Canadian Prime Minister appeared to make fun of Trump in Buckingham Palace
Ian Bremmer

While the US president was not mentioned by name, Mr Trump had held a lengthy interview alongside Mr Macron earlier that day - the US President's second press conference of the day which made headlines.

Princess Anne is also in the huddle, although it is unclear if she says anything during the interaction.

Donald Trump arrives in London

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In the footage, Mr Johnson is heard asking Mr Macron: "Is that why you were late?"

Mr Trudeau replies: "He's late because he takes a 40 minute press conference off the top.".

As the rest of the group chuckles, Mr Trudeau continues to speak, wide-eyed: "Oh ya ya ya, he announced..."

He is then cut off by Mr Macron who interjects with an inaudible exclamation.

Nato leaders gathered for a reception at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday evening
AP

In another part of the video, Mr Trudeau appears to continue to make fun of Mr Trump, whose first lengthy press conference touched on Brexit, the general election and Mr Macron's comments on Nato.

"You just watched his team's jaws drop to the floor...", Mr Trudeau is seen saying.

Macron appears to makes an inaudible comment to the group about his lengthy press conference with Trump
Ian Bremmer

Journalist Ian Bremmer captioned the video: "This happens at every Nato summit with Trump. Every G7. Every G20. The US President is mocked by US allies behind his back,"

Susan Wright, a Twitter user, commented: "I never imagined that One Man Alone could make himself look like the biggest Buffoon & Represent A Country at the same time. Laughingstock, plz note to all world leaders at this Summit I didn't Vote for this Buffoon plz have compassion for the people who didn't Vote for Trump."

However, another user named 'Nana' defended the US President.

She wrote: "Mocking POTUS for working more than they do? Doing extra press conferences/meetings? Sleeping 4 hrs a night? Not taking a salary & donating it back to his country? No wonder their countries are having problems."

Mr Trump and his Nato counterparts are gathering in London but the summit has been overshadow by infighting about the organisation.

The leaders are due to publish a declaration underlining their commitment to Nato on its 70th birthday, and to show that the alliance is adapting to modern threats and potential new adversaries like China.

NATO Leaders Meeting

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Mr Trump and Mr Macron clashed Tuesday over the French leader's criticism of NATO. Mr Macron says Nato needs "a wake-up call" and he has complained of a lack of U.S. leadership.

Mr Trump also pressed Mr Trudeau on Canada's Nato spending at their bilateral meeting.

The United States is by far the biggest and most influential member of NATO.

Meanwhile, following an evening reception hosted by Mr Johnson at Number 10, a member of the US Secret Service was pictured leaving with a Christmas bauble gifted to leaders.

Each Nato leader was given one of the decorations and invited to hang it from the Downing Street tree.

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