Leaders from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan have gathered in Alberta, Canada, for the 51st G7 Summit to address escalating conflict in the Middle East, trade tensions, and other urgent global issues. AP News
(The Post News)- Leaders from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan have gathered in Alberta, Canada, for the 51st G7 Summit to address escalating conflict in the Middle East, trade tensions, and other urgent global issues.
One of the most pressing discussions at this year’s summit has been the rapidly intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran. European leaders have collectively called for restraint and a return to diplomacy—an approach supported by both U.S. and Japanese leaders despite their differing criticisms. U.S. President Donald Trump stated, “I’d say Iran is not winning this war, and they should talk, and they should talk immediately, before it’s too late,” urging direct negotiations to avoid further escalation. Meanwhile, Japan’s Prime Minister condemned Israel’s recent strikes on Iran as “escalatory,” but ultimately echoed calls for restraint and a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.
Trade was another anticipated topic at the summit, as President Trump’s decision to maintain steep tariffs on steel, aluminium, and Japanese automobiles drew sharp criticism from both the European Union and Japan. When asked if he planned to announce any new trade agreements during the G7 as he left the White House on Sunday, Trump replied, “We have our trade deals. All we have to do is send a letter, ‘This is what you’re going to have to pay.’ But I think we’ll have a few, few new trade deals.” Though no major agreements have been signed yet, the U.K. expressed optimism. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said a bilateral deal with the U.S., agreed in principle last month to reduce tariffs, should be finalised “very soon.”
There has been some progress, as leaders agreed to establish a joint working group focused on addressing critical supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly for rare earth minerals. This initiative is part of a broader push to reduce reliance on Chinese exports in key industries like clean energy and defence. Several draft documents on artificial intelligence, migration, and supply chains have been circulated, although U.S. approval of final communiques remains uncertain.
Tensions around Russia further highlighted fractures within the group. President Trump said the decision to eject Russia from what was then the G8 in 2014 had been a mistake, claiming it contributed to Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine in 2022. “Putin speaks to me… he’s not a happy person about it,” Trump remarked, also suggesting that Russia could potentially mediate between Israel and Iran. This idea was dismissed by French President Emmanuel Macron and the other European allies, who reaffirmed plans to impose “much tougher sanctions on Russia,” according to Macron.
This disagreement is expected to be a key point of discussion as the summit continues on Tuesday.
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