G7 Summit: A Summit of Discord, Not Consensus
International Conference Kicks Off in Canada, Concentrating on Trade Disputes, Wars, and Avoiding Displeasing Trump
In the Rocky Mountains of Canada, this year's Group of Seven (G7) summit is set to begin, with a clear mission - to dampen the flames of tension. The last time US President Donald Trump attended a G7 summit in Canada, the enduring image was of him, arms folded defiantly, while then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel glared daggers.
If there's a shared aspiration among the leaders this year, it's to minimize discord at a time of combustible tensions. The 2018 summit ended with Trump assailing his Canadian hosts on social media, refusing to endorse the G7 joint statement. "I have instructed our US Reps not to endorse the Communique as we look at Tariffs on automobiles flooding the US Market!" he tweeted.
This time, Trump has already imposed severe tariffs on several dozen nations, risking a global economic slowdown. There's little progress on settling the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and a new and escalating conflict between Israel and Iran over Tehran's nuclear program. Add to all of that the problems of climate change, immigration, drug trafficking, new technologies like artificial intelligence, China's manufacturing superiority, and its chokehold on key supply chains.
Asked if he planned to announce any trade agreements at the G7, Trump reportedly responded, "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."
The 2018 summit was marked by a notable dispute - references to the rules-based international order. This is where the infamous photo originates, suggesting that G7 summits are no longer business as usual. The German, UK, Japanese, and Italian governments have all signaled a belief that a friendly relationship with Trump this year can reduce the likelihood of outbursts.
The G7This year, there's no plan for a joint statement, indicating that the Trump administration sees no need to build a shared consensus with fellow democracies if it views such a statement as contrary to its goals of new tariffs, more fossil fuel production, and a Europe that is less dependent on the US military.
Peter Boehm, a veteran of six G7 summits, believes that the Trump administration "almost certainly believes that no deal is better than a bad deal." The White House has remained mum about its goals for the G7, which originated as a 1973 finance ministers' meeting to address the oil crisis.
Trump will have at least three scheduled bilateral meetings with other world leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. He's also expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump has imposed 25% tariffs on steel, aluminum, and autos, all of which have disproportionately hit Japan. He's also charging a 10% tax on imports from most countries. Canada and Mexico face separate tariffs of as much as 25% due to the ongoing fentanyl smuggling issue, though some products are still protected under the 2020 US-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
Trump's tariffs have been a source of friction between the US and its G7 allies. His aim is to force trade partners to strengthen their reliance on the US, but it remains to be seen if this approach will align with the broader G7 agenda or further illustrate strains in transatlantic and global cooperation.
1. Trump displaces word 'allies' with 'rivals' in official White House communique2. Trump pulled the United States out of the Iran nuclear deal in 20183. Trump's Unilateralism Creates a Divide at the G7 Summit4. Trump departs Quebec summit early, blaming Trudeau 36 hours after leaving5. Trump complied with demands for Iran concessions in exchange for a G7 summit statement
- Despite the G7's historical significance as a forum for diplomatic cooperation, the Trump administration’s official communique replaced the term 'allies' with 'rivals.'
- In 2018, under Trump's administration, the United States pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal, escalating tensions in the region.
- Trump's unilateral approach to foreign policy and trade, as demonstrated at the 2018 G7 summit, has created a wide divide among the world leaders, underscoring the strains in transatlantic and global cooperation.
