Trump, in meeting with Trudeau, says someone "loose and stupid" could be behind drone incident
President Trump, seated alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the White House Thursday, suggested that Iran's shooting down of a U.S. drone might have been a mistake, appearing to counter the message sent from his own Pentagon moments earlier.
Mr. Trump suggested that someone who was "loose and stupid" might have made an error, instead of faulting Iran for an intentional incident. At the same time, the president said Iran made a "very bad mistake."
"I find it hard to believe it was intentional," Mr. Trump said.
The president didn't rule out striking Iran.
"You'll find out," he told reporters in the Oval Office of the potential U.S. response.
Trudeau, too, said he's "very concerned" about the drone incident, but looks forward to working alongside the international community to find a way forward.
"Obviously, we are very concerned about the escalation by Iran recently because we have a significant presence in the area, including a NATO mission in Baghdad and Iraq," Trudeau said.
The Trump administration has largely been alone in increasing pressure on Iran, with allies approaching Iran more cautiously.
The Trump-Trudeau meeting also comes as Mr. Trump hopes to pass the trade agreement reached with Canada and Mexico through Congress. Mexico is so far the only country of the three to officially adopt the agreement, which Mr. Trump calls the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement or the USMCA. But the trade agreement faces an uphill battle on Capitol Hill, where Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi says the Trump administration is moving too quickly.
"I have to get the Democrats to approve it," Mr. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office Thursday, adding he thinks it'll be approved "rapidly."
The two world leaders have managed a friendly relationship, despite their disagreements and sometimes Mr. Trump's criticism of the Canadian prime minister.
"PM Justin Trudeau of Canada acted so meek and mild during our @G7 meetings only to give a news conference after I left saying that, 'US Tariffs were kind of insulting' and he 'will not be pushed around.' Very dishonest & weak. Our Tariffs are in response to his of 270% on dairy!" Mr. Trump tweeted last summer after meeting with Trudeau and other world leaders."
