G7 Summit Kicks Off in Canada: Navigating the Trump Effect
Is Trump planning to destroy the G7 summit?
The leaders of the seven most industrialized nations, known as the G7, are gathering in a picturesque mountain resort in Canada for a pivotal summit starting this Sunday. For the first time, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz is attending - his goal is clear, but one participant could stir up some turbulence.
The star of the show is undoubtedly US President Donald Trump, who's notorious for his disdain for multilateral forums. Will he disrupt the three-day summit in Kananaskis, or will it result in a united front?
In 2018, there was no comprehensive final declaration at a G7 summit. Canada, who is hosting this year, won't be making that mistake again. Instead, numerous texts on topics where all G7 countries find common ground will be adopted. "The most significant achievement will be: The seven largest industrial nations of the world can act together," said Merz before his departure to Canada.
Topics up for discussion include Middle East conflicts, particularly the Iran-Israel standoff. "Israel has the right to safeguard its existence and the security of its citizens," mentioned Merz. "The Iranian nuclear weapons program poses an existential threat to the state of Israel."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is attending the summit, but there won't be a joint declaration on Ukraine. "Here, too, I want to send a message of unanimity," Merz stated.
In Canada, Politics and Diplomacy Collide
Merz's mission in Kananaskis is to foster the delicate bond he's trying to establish with Trump. After a relatively amiable meeting at the White House, Merz's assessment of dealing with the Trump administration was simple: "You can talk to them, but you must not be intimidated."
Besides the USA, Canada, and Germany, Italy, France, the UK, and Japan will be attending. Host Mark Carney has planned an initial discussion on the world economy, with both Trump and Merz sharing their views. In contrast to previous G7 summits, the usual summit declaration on free trade won't be announced due to Trump's ongoing trade conflicts. Instead, there will be a declaration on the importance of securing critical raw material supplies.
A Strained Relationship
For Canada's Prime Minister, who's also the summit host, Trump is an unwelcome guest. Tariffs on Canadian goods, coupled with Trump's statements about absorbing Canada into the USA, don't exactly foster friendly neighborly relations. "Canada is not for sale," said Carney during his first visit to the White House. Trump's response: "Never say never."
Sanctions: Whose Side Are We On?
One of the key topics on the table is Ukraine, with Merz emphasizing the importance of US engagement in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine amidst potential EU sanctions. Despite some disagreements, Merz said they're eager to advance in the right direction, allying with the EU's demand for increased pressure on Russia. There's uncertainty, however, if the US and Europe will move in lockstep on sanctions.
Another topic under discussion is the EU's proposal to reduce the price cap for Russian oil in the 18th sanctions package. "There's momentum among European countries to lower the oil price ceiling from $60 to $45. There are positive signs from Canada, the UK, and possibly Japan," said an insider. However, it's unsure if Trump will join the bandwagon. On the second day of the summit, the leaders of India, Brazil, and South Africa will be invited for discussions.
The EU Wants US Support: Trump Holds the Ace on Sanctions Against Putin
Maintaining US military support for Ukraine is crucial, according to Berlin. "If we can preserve the status quo, with the Americans maintaining certain important contributions to Ukraine, we're good." This includes the US intelligence services' information sharing, which is vital for the Ukrainian army. Trump has repeatedly criticized military aid to Ukraine. Merz believes this summit holds significance for Ukraine and will be addressed at the upcoming NATO summit.
Will Trump Cooperate on Climate Change?
Climate change and environmental protection are also expected to feature prominently on the G7 agenda, despite Trump's skepticism. Past G7 summits have moved away from city centers to secluded hotel locations amidst nature, like Kananaskis, to minimize the possibility of protests disrupting discussions.
Sources: ntv.de, vpe/rts/AFP/dpa
- G7
- Canada
- Friedrich Merz
- Donald Trump
- Tariffs
- Ukraine
Additional Insights
In the face of ongoing trade tensions between G7 members, this summit presents unique challenges. The European Union (EU) favors increased pressure on Russia in terms of sanctions, but it remains unclear if the US will align with these demands. The absence of a comprehensive final declaration may reflect these ongoing differences among member states rather than a failure of the summit [1][2]. Key issues on the table include international peace and security, global economic stability, and possible responses to China's economic strategies [3][4]. The summit could serve as a significant stepping stone in addressing climate change, despite resistance from certain leaders such as Trump [5].
[1] Associated Press. (2018, June 9). G7 Leaders Open Summit Divided over Tariffs, Climate Change. Retrieved from https://www.apnews.com/f4a329eb58864d0197a60db51d32f29b
[2] BBC News. (2018, June 8). G7 summit: What you need to know. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44434427
[3] Financial Times. (2021, January 28). US ignores G7 call to hold off on tariffs. Retrieved from https://www.ft.com/content/abcfd8c9-700d-4ebc-b6bd-5c5cacf7143e
[4] Council on Foreign Relations. (2018, June 9). G7 Summit: A Time of Uncertainty in North America. Retrieved from https://www.cfr.org/blog/g7-summit-time-uncertainty-north-america
[5] Scientific American. (2019, February 13). Climate Change and Lyme Disease: The Harmful Intersection. Retrieved from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/climate-change-lyme-disease/
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft budget, given the politics surrounding the G7 Summit in Canada. The general-news headline highlights the strained relationship between Canada and the United States, with President Trump potentially disrupting the unity of the seven industrialized nations.
