Banff (Canada), June 15: The Group of Seven summit in the Canadian Rockies is expected to be overshadowed by the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran and US President Donald Trump’s unresolved trade war with allies and rivals.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has discussed efforts to de-escalate the crisis with Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as other world leaders. Britain is sending fighter jets and other military reinforcements to the Middle East.
Trump is the summit wild card, with his inflammatory threats to make Canada the 51st state and take over Greenland. French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Greenland on Sunday for a symbolic stop on his way to Canada, meeting the Arctic territory’s leader and Denmark’s prime minister aboard a Danish helicopter carrier. Macron’s approach to Trump has failed to bear major results, with France caught up in the president’s planned tariffs on the European Union.
The summit risks being a series of bilateral conversations rather than a show of unity. Leaders who are not part of the G7 but have been invited to the summit by Carney include the heads of state of India, Ukraine, Brazil, South Africa, South Korea, Australia, Mexico, and the UAE. Avoiding tariffs will continue to be top of mind.
Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien told a panel this week that if Trump does act out, leaders should ignore him and remain calm like Carney did in his recent Oval Office meeting. “He tends to be a bully,” Chrétien said. If Trump has decided to make a show to be in the news, he will do something crazy. Let him do it and keep talking normally.”
Last month Britain and the US announced they had struck a trade deal that will slash American tariffs on UK autos, steel, and aluminum. It has yet to take effect, though British officials say they are not concerned the Trump administration might go back on its word.
Starmer’s attempts to woo Trump have left him in an awkward position with Canada, the UK’s former colony, close ally, and fellow Commonwealth member. Starmer has also drawn criticism – especially from Canadians – for failing to address Trump’s stated desire to make Canada the 51st state.
The war in Ukraine will be on the agenda. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due to attend the summit and is expected to meet with Trump, a reunion coming just months after their bruising Oval Office encounter which laid bare the risks of having a meeting with the US president. (AP)
