Leaders of some of the world’s largest economies are gathering today in Canada for the G7 summit of the seven richest liberal democracies. The summit is overshadowed by the widening war in the Middle East and the unresolved trade disputes initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump with both allies and rivals.
Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory actions, which seem to have caught many world officials by surprise, are the latest sign of an increasingly insecure world. This comes as U.S. President Trump seeks to withdraw the U.S. from its role as the world’s police force, according to the Associated Press.
Middle East De-escalation Efforts
In statements made on the plane en route to Canada, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he had spoken with Trump, the Israeli Prime Minister, and other world leaders about efforts to de-escalate the situation in the Middle East. Britain is sending its warplanes and other military reinforcements to the Middle East.
“We have long been concerned about Iran’s nuclear program. We recognize Israel’s right to self-defense, but I say very clearly that de-escalation is needed. There is an enormous risk of escalation for the region and beyond,” Starmer said, adding that he expects “intense discussions” to continue at the summit.
Trade Tensions and Diplomatic Maneuvers
The host of the summit, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who gathers leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the U.S., has decided to abandon the annual practice of issuing a joint communiqué at the end of the meeting.
As world leaders seek to engage with Trump in an effort to dissuade him from imposing tariffs, there is a risk that the summit will devolve into a series of bilateral talks rather than a display of unity. The meeting is also clouded by Trump’s inflammatory threats to turn Canada into the 51st U.S. state and to take over Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory. Symbolically, French President Emmanuel Macron will stop in Greenland on his way to Canada for the summit, where he will meet with the leader of the Arctic territory and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on a Danish helicopter carrier.
Macron is one of the few leaders who knew Trump during his first term and was the first European leader to visit the White House when Trump took office for his second term, a meeting that reportedly went well. However, despite the good relations between the two leaders, Macron’s approach to Trump has not yielded significant results, and France is affected by Trump’s planned tariffs on EU countries. Macron also failed to secure any U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine, an attempt he made together with British Prime Minister Starmer. They are trying to create a coalition of nations that would deploy forces to Ukraine after a possible ceasefire with Russia, hoping to convince the Trump administration to provide support.
Trump is expected to arrive in Kananaskis, Alberta, where the summit is being held, late today. While bilateral meetings between leaders are possible today, the summit’s official program begins on Monday.
Invited Guests and Key Topics
Leaders not part of the G7 but invited to the summit include heads of state from India, Ukraine, Brazil, South Africa, South Korea, Australia, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates. One of the main expected topics will be how to avoid U.S. tariffs. The war in Ukraine will also be on the agenda. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend the summit and is anticipated to meet with Trump.
