The picturesque setting of Kananaskis, Alberta is set to host this year’s G7 summit, which begins Monday against a backdrop of significant global tensions. The last time U.S. President Donald Trump attended a G7 summit in Canada, the event was marked by his visibly defiant posture while facing then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel. This year, participants aim to foster a more constructive atmosphere and minimize potential conflicts during discussions.
The 2018 G7 summit concluded with President Trump publicly criticizing his Canadian hosts on social media, ordering U.S. officials to reject the joint statement agreed upon by leaders from Japan, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, and Canada. “I have instructed our U.S. Reps not to endorse the Communique as we look at Tariffs on automobiles flooding the U.S. market!” he tweeted at the time, setting a confrontational tone that resonated throughout the international community.
Fast forward to the present, and Trump has imposed severe tariffs on numerous countries, escalating concerns of a global economic slowdown. Current international conflicts, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as rising tensions between Israel and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, add to the complexity of discussions at the summit. Participants will also address pressing issues such as climate change, immigration, drug trafficking, and the implications of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.
As Trump left the White House on Sunday, he hinted at potential trade agreements, stating, “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 stakes are high, especially considering the G7’s survival is in question, particularly as Trump’s administration has sent mixed signals regarding his attendance at the upcoming Group of 20 summit in South Africa.
Trump’s opposition at the 2018 summit wasn’t limited to tariffs; it also involved a broader resistance to the establishment of alliances based on shared global standards. Peter Boehm, Canada’s counselor at the 2018 G7 summit, noted that the tensions surrounding the “rules-based international order” were pivotal, contributing to a perception that the G7 might not follow traditional protocols.
Leaders from Germany, the U.K., Japan, and Italy have expressed optimism that cultivating a friendly relationship with Trump could mitigate potential outbursts during the summit. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer remarked on his positive rapport with the U.S. president, highlighting its importance for diplomatic relations. However, there are no plans for a joint statement from the G7 this year, signaling a shift in the Trump administration's approach to consensus-building with fellow democracies.
Experts believe the Trump administration may prefer no agreement over a suboptimal one. Caitlin Welsh, a director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted, “The Trump administration almost certainly believes that no deal is better than a bad deal.” This perspective could complicate the summit's objectives, which originally aimed to foster personal relationships among world leaders and address pressing global issues.
During the summit, Trump is scheduled to engage in at least three bilateral meetings, starting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. He is also expected to meet with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The U.S. has implemented 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum, disproportionately affecting Japan, and has a 10% tax on imports from most nations.
Despite reaching a trade framework with the U.K. that includes quotas to protect against certain tariffs, the ongoing 10% baseline remains. This has led to concerns that countries like Canada and Mexico, facing tariffs as high as 25%, may find it increasingly difficult to view the U.S. as a reliable ally. Trump’s strategy of using tariffs to negotiate trade agreements raises questions about the efficacy of antagonizing allies in strengthening U.S. global standing.
As the summit unfolds in Kananaskis, Trump aims to coordinate a unified front against China’s economic practices. However, many leaders may argue that achieving effective coordination would be easier without the burden of tariffs imposed on allies. The outcome of this summit could significantly shape the future of the G7 and its role in addressing critical global issues.
Reported by Boak from Calgary, Alberta, with contributions from Jill Lawless of the Associated Press.
