G7 Leaders Gather in Canada Amid Global Tensions and Trade Concerns

The Group of Seven (G7) leaders are convening in Canada, focusing on urgent matters including the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict and U.S. tariffs. There is a shared interest in avoiding any confrontations with U.S. President Donald Trump, particularly since he has hinted at annexing Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney outlined his main objectives for the summit, which include promoting peace and security, enhancing crucial mineral supply chains, and fostering job creation. However, the potential impacts of Trump's tariffs and global geopolitical tensions—particularly in the Middle East and Ukraine—are expected to dominate discussions.

Overnight missile strikes have escalated violence between Israel and Iran, raising the death toll as both nations retaliate against each other following an Israeli offensive that commenced on a previous Friday. According to G7 officials, the leaders will likely release a collective statement advocating for a reduction in hostilities in the region. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz highlighted his priorities, which include preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, safeguarding Israel's right to self-defense, and fostering diplomatic solutions.

Iran asserts its nuclear endeavors are peaceful, a claim supported by U.S. intelligence and the International Atomic Energy Agency that denies any intentions of pursuing a nuclear weapon. The previous G7 summit in Canada faced turbulence, marked by Trump’s abrupt departure and remarks against former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, causing significant diplomatic rifts. There’s concern among attendees about Trump's tariffs potentially precipitating a worldwide economic downturn amid ongoing conflicts, notably those in Ukraine and Gaza.

Current discussions extend beyond these pressing international conflicts to cover several other issues, such as immigration, drug trafficking, artificial intelligence, and the governance of new technologies. To prevent diplomatic discord, Canada has opted for informal summaries rather than an extensive joint communiqué, aiming to foster cooperation among the G7 nations—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.

While departing the White House, Trump remarked on the summit’s trade discussions, indicating a readiness to formalize some new trade agreements. The United Kingdom has already negotiated a trade framework with the U.S., establishing certain protective quotas while maintaining a base tariff of 10%. Trump has also mentioned that he believes a resolution to the Israel-Iran conflict is possible, suggesting that both countries need to confront each other directly. As the summit progresses, Trump is scheduled to hold at least three bilateral meetings with various world leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Carney, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.