The Group of Seven (G7) summit commenced Sunday in Kananaskis, Alberta, as leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States gathered to address pressing global challenges.
Hosted by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the summit is overshadowed by escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, alongside U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policies.
Carney emphasized priorities like peace, critical mineral supply chains, and job creation, but diplomats expect discussions to focus heavily on Middle East conflicts, Ukraine, and U.S. tariffs.
The Israel-Iran conflict, intensified by overnight attacks, looms large.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz noted, “This issue will be very high on the agenda of the G7 summit.”
Leaders aim to prevent Iran’s nuclear advancement, support Israel’s defense, and de-escalate tensions.
Meanwhile, Trump’s tariff threats and provocative rhetoric, including musings about annexing Canada, strain alliances.
Canada has abandoned plans for a joint communique, opting for chair summaries to avoid public rifts.
“This will be a successful meeting if Donald Trump doesn’t have an eruption that disrupts the entire gathering,” said Roland Paris, a University of Ottawa professor.
The summit, extended to allow more bilateral meetings, reflects leaders’ desire to engage Trump directly on trade and security.
Guests from Ukraine, India, Brazil, and others join discussions on critical minerals, AI, and energy security.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s attendance underscores the ongoing war with Russia, though hopes for a strong G7 statement supporting Kyiv have dimmed.
Canadian Senator Peter Boehm said, “Many will want to talk to President Trump about their own particular interests and concerns.”
As the G7 navigates these complexities, the summit tests the U.S.’s commitment to multilateral cooperation.