While the G7 summit in Japan continued to press well-known themes, with the general consensus being that world leaders would continue pushing against competitive FX devaluations (a jab pointed once again at Japan as suggested by this weekend's meeting of finance ministers and central bankers), Merkel adding that there is hardly any leeway left for monetary policy and Abe saving some face by adding that the G7 agreed the global economy is facing big risks, the biggest surprise out of this latest statement was Obama's comments on Donald Trump.
In a statement to the press, Obama said that world leaders are "rattled" by Republican nominee Donald Trump’s public statements. "They are paying very close attention to this election," the president told reporters. "I think it’s fair to say they are surprised by the Republican nominee. They are not sure how seriously to take some of his pronouncements, but they are rattled by it."
Obama added that Republican nominee has displayed "ignorance of international affairs or a cavalier attitude or an interest in tweets and headlines rather than thinking through what is required" to keep the world safe.
On the other hand, Obama confirmed that both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders would be a continuation of the status quo by saying "both pointing in the same direction" with policy proposals. "I guarantee you that the eventual nominee sure wishes it were over now because this is a grind. It’s hard."
And as has been repeatedly the case, in further bracketing Trump as not only an anti US establishment candidate, but one who is disliked by the entire global community, Obama likely just earned the New York billionaire some more votes; it will also provide Trump with further ammo to push his own specific policy agenda.