The Group of Seven summit kicks off in the scenic Canadian Rockies this Sunday, bringing together leaders from the world’s foremost economic powers amid a backdrop of escalating conflict in the Middle East and ongoing tensions due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade disputes with other nations.
Recent military actions between Israel and Iran have caught many international leaders off guard, highlighting the increasing instability in global affairs as Trump appears to retreat from traditional U.S. diplomatic roles.
On a journey to Canada, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer revealed discussions he had with Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aimed at de-escalating the region’s tensions. Meanwhile, the U.K. is dispatching Royal Air Force jets and additional military support to the Middle East.
“We are deeply concerned about Iran’s nuclear ambitions and absolutely recognize Israel’s right to defend itself; however, a de-escalation is imperative given the significant risk of broader conflict,” Starmer stated, anticipating “intense discussions” at the upcoming summit.
Trump’s Role at the Summit
As the host, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has opted not to publish a joint communique after the summit. This decision could lead to a series of individual discussions where other leaders might try to convince Trump not to impose further tariffs, rather than a cohesive demonstration of unity.
Trump’s presence looms large, with his provocative remarks about making Canada the 51st state and claiming Greenland amplifying the unpredictability of the meeting. French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to make a notable stop in Greenland en route to Canada, where he will meet with local leaders.
Macron, familiar with Trump’s unpredictable style from their interactions, was the first European leader to engage with the U.S. president following his inauguration. Despite their occasional camaraderie, Macron’s attempts to mitigate the impact of Trump’s tariff threats on the European Union have yielded mixed results, leaving France seeking stronger assurances regarding security cooperation with Ukraine.
Trump is set to arrive late on Sunday in Kananaskis, Alberta, with bilateral talks likely to precede the main agenda starting Monday, and experts predict that discussions will shift focus towards the implications of ongoing conflicts.
Peter Boehm, a veteran of past G7 summits, indicated that the evolving foreign policy landscape will necessitate significant dialogue among the leaders.
Strategic Engagements
In addition to the G7 leaders, those from non-member nations, including India, Ukraine, Brazil, South Africa, South Korea, Australia, Mexico, and the UAE, have been invited by Carney. Trade issues will likely dominate the discussions, particularly regarding tariffs.
“New and existing leaders alike will likely seek to engage with Trump, who prefers one-on-one discussions over large group dialogues,” Boehm noted. However, such bilateral meetings can become contentious, as seen in Trump’s earlier dealings with leaders from Ukraine and South Africa.
Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien advised that leaders should remain calm and composed, regardless of Trump’s potential provocations. “He tends to be a bully. If he feels the need to attract attention, he may act unpredictably. It’s best to keep the focus on normal discussions,” he remarked.
Starmer had a constructive meeting with Trump in February, presenting an invitation from King Charles III for a state visit. Despite their differing political views, Trump has expressed admiration for the British prime minister.
Zelenskyy’s Attendance
The ongoing war in Ukraine will feature prominently on the agenda, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expected to attend the summit and meet with Trump. Their interactions folate significant tensions following previous encounters in the Oval Office.
Starmer recently met with Carney in Ottawa for discussions centered on trade and security, marking the first visit by a British prime minister to Canada in nearly a decade.
Officials from Germany have emphasized that the summit will not merely be characterized as a “six versus one” scenario, as significant divergences in priorities exist within the G7 countries themselves.
Chrétien remarked on the unpredictability associated with Trump’s actions, noting the challenge of forecasting his behavior based on current circumstances and media attention.
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Lawless contributed to this report from Ottawa, Ontario. AP reporters Josh Boak in Calgary, Alberta, Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo, Sylvie Corbet in Paris, Geir Moulson in Berlin, and Nicole Winfield in Rome also contributed to this report.
