U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the G7 summit in Canada on June 15–17, the White House confirmed Thursday, despite unresolved trade disputes and his recent remark suggesting Canada should become the “51st U.S. state.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitter stated Trump aims to “strengthen alliances” but acknowledged “real concerns remain” over tariffs and bilateral friction.
Tensions eased slightly after a May meeting between Trump and newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who asserted during their Oval Office discussion that Canada was “never for sale.” Both leaders later characterized the talks as constructive, a shift from April, when Trump threatened to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian auto imports unless Ottawa aligned more closely with U.S. trade objectives.
Finance Ministers Aim to Bridge Divides
Ahead of the summit, G7 finance ministers convened in Banff, Alberta, to address longstanding rifts. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described discussions on Ukraine aid, countering Chinese tariffs, and combating drug trafficking as “productive.” French Finance Minister Eric Lombard noted a “notable improvement in the mood” compared to 2018, when Trump’s steel tariffs derailed joint statements. Italian counterpart Giancarlo Giorgetti emphasized the need for a unified communiqué to bolster the bloc’s credibility, calling it “important” despite the logistical challenges.
2018 Echoes and Rising Stakes
The summit risks mirroring the 2018 gathering, where Trump’s protectionist policies sparked a “G6+1” split as allies united against U.S. trade measures. Canada, hosting for the first time since that contentious meeting, seeks to balance criticism of Trump’s tariffs with collaboration on shared priorities like supporting Ukraine. Lombard stressed a focus on “progress, not paperwork,” while Giorgetti advocated consensus-building to address divisions.
Analysts warn that failure to resolve trade imbalances could weaken the G7’s ability to counter China’s economic ambitions. The bloc’s cohesion faces further tests as Trump continues to prioritize bilateral deals over multilateral frameworks, a stance that has strained transatlantic relations.