In a surprising turn of events, U.S. President Donald Trump has decided to leave the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada one day earlier than planned. The White House confirmed on Monday that this decision was prompted by escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly regarding the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the fraught relations between Israel and Iran.
The G7 summit, which includes leaders from key nations such as Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the U.S., along with the European Union, has faced significant challenges in achieving a unified stance on pressing global issues. Trump’s public support for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his imposition of tariffs on many allied nations have further complicated discussions. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that, "Much was accomplished, but because of what's going on in the Middle East, President Trump will be leaving tonight after dinner with Heads of State."
During the summit, Trump reiterated his belief that Iran should have accepted a nuclear deal with the United States. He also urged all individuals to evacuate Tehran immediately. French President Emmanuel Macron commented on Trump’s early departure, suggesting it was a positive move towards achieving a ceasefire in the Middle East.
Highlighting his contentious views, Trump also remarked on the Group of Eight, claiming it was a mistake to expel Russia after its annexation of Crimea in 2014. He stated, "I believe Russia would not have invaded Ukraine in 2022 had Putin not been ejected." His comments cast doubt on the potential outcomes of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's upcoming meetings with G7 leaders.
As the summit progressed, European officials expressed concern over Trump's reluctance to endorse tougher sanctions against Moscow. Zelenskiy was expected to discuss new arms purchases for Ukraine during his scheduled meeting with Trump. European leaders hoped to leverage this meeting, along with the upcoming NATO summit, to persuade Trump to adopt a stronger position against Russia.
In a further indication of disunity within the group, a U.S. official disclosed that Trump would not sign a draft statement advocating for the de-escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict. This lack of consensus led Canada to abandon efforts to create a comprehensive communiqué, reminiscent of the tumultuous 2018 summit in Quebec, where Trump withdrew U.S. support for the final statement.
Despite the discord, there were some positive developments regarding trade agreements. Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that they had finalized a trade deal, marking a significant milestone as Britain became the first country to secure a deal for reduced U.S. tariffs. Furthermore, Trump indicated that discussions for a new economic and security deal with Canada could be underway, although he emphasized that tariffs would be a crucial consideration—something the Canadian government vehemently opposes.
Canada's ambassador to Washington, Kirsten Hillman, stated, "Our position is that we should have no tariffs on Canadian exports to the United States." As the G7 summit continues, the impact of Trump's early departure on ongoing negotiations and discussions remains uncertain.
