G7 leaders meet in Canada to discuss trade, war; sidestep Trump issues

Kananaskis (Canada), June 16: When US President Donald Trump last attended the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada in 2018, tensions ran high, symbolized by his defiant posture as then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel glared at him. The summit ended with Trump publicly opposing the G7 joint statement over tariffs on automobiles flooding the US market, fracturing the alliance.
This year’s G7 summit in Canada’s Rocky Mountains aims to avoid such confrontations amid ongoing global tensions including wars in Ukraine and Gaza, escalating Israel-Iran conflict, climate change, immigration, drug trafficking, emerging technologies, and China’s dominance over supply chains.
Trump’s administration has imposed steep tariffs on dozens of countries, risking a global economic slowdown. He defended these tariffs as tools to secure new trade deals, claiming deals can be finalized by simply notifying partners of tariff terms. This raises doubts about the G7’s future, especially with uncertainty about Trump attending the November G20 summit.
The 2018 dispute centered on Trump’s rejection of a rules-based international order, raising questions about the summit’s purpose. Leaders from Germany, the UK, Japan, and Italy hope a cooperative relationship with Trump will reduce tensions. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer highlighted his good rapport with Trump ahead of their meeting.
No joint G7 statement is planned, reflecting Trump’s reluctance to build consensus amid his goals of more tariffs, fossil fuel production, and reducing Europe’s reliance on US military. Experts say the administration prefers “no deal” over “bad deals.”
Trump will meet bilaterally with Canadian PM Mark Carney, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. His 25% tariffs on steel, aluminum, and autos have hit Japan hard, with a 10% baseline tax on most imports that could rise after July 9. The UK has a trade framework with the US offering some tariff protections; the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement shields some products.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expects no immediate solutions, while Carney says Canada can no longer count on the US as a steadfast friend. Trump faces the challenge of keeping tariffs while convincing allies to side with the US against China. Analysts suggest leaders may urge easing tariffs to improve coordination against China’s economic coercion, crucial for G7 unity. (AP)