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On Monday night, US President Donald Trump left the G7 summit in a Canadian Rockies resort town due to intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran, as well as growing regional instability in the Middle East.
World leaders at the summit tried to find a way to contain the five-day-old conflict, which has resulted in the loss of several lives in Israel and Iran.
Trump had earlier warned that Iran needs to dismantle its nuclear program before it’s “too late”. He said that Iranian leaders would “like to talk” but had 60 days to reach an agreement on their nuclear ambitions, which they failed to achieve before an Israeli aerial assault began four days ago. “They need to make a deal,” he said.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the summit host, stated that the world is looking to the G7 for leadership during this challenging time.
He said, “We’re gathering at one of those pivotal moments in history. The world’s more divided and dangerous.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held an informal meeting shortly after their arrival at the summit late on Sunday.
Merz, speaking at the summit, said that his country plans to draft a final communique proposal on the conflict, emphasizing that Iran should not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons-capable material.
Trump stated, “Iran is not winning this war. They need to talk and should do so immediately before it’s too late.” When asked if Washington will join Israel in its military operation in Iran, Trump declined to comment on the matter.
Trump and Starmer announce new trade agreement
On Monday, Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a trade deal that will reduce tariffs on UK auto and aerospace industry imports.
The deal was announced on the sidelines of the summit. Trump and Starmer noted that negotiations are still ongoing on the steel production sector.
Trump emphasized that the deal with the UK is “fair for both,” and he expects it to create jobs and income for both nations. Starmer also expressed his optimism, stating that the deal demonstrates strength and is a positive day for both countries.
Reaching this agreement is significant, as Trump has threatened several countries with substantial import tariffs that have caused market instability and heightened the risk of a global trade war.
Despite moving away from some of his suggested tariffs, Trump has indicated that his administration is actively involved in negotiations for new trade agreements with various nations, although few have materialized.
The agreement follows the leaders’ announcement in May that they had reached a framework for a trade pact. This pact aims to significantly reduce US import taxes on British cars, steel, and aluminum in exchange for enhanced access to the British market for US products such as beef and ethanol.
However, the agreement reached on Monday specifically addresses British cars and aerospace materials, with further negotiations required for steel.
London believes that this new deal will greatly benefit British firms like Rolls Royce, which produces engines for airplanes and high-end luxury vehicles, by exempting them from the original 10% tariffs.
Trump suggests G7 should expand to include Russia, China
Trump sparked controversy at the summit by proposing that the G7 should expand to the G8 to include Russia or even the G9 to include China.
Despite Russia and China being authoritarian regimes within a group of democratic nations, Trump argued that it was a “very big mistake” to remove Russia in 2014 after it annexed Crimea. He said, “We wouldn’t have a war right now if Russia were still in the G8.”
Trump also mentioned the possibility of including China, stating that it “isn’t a bad idea.” He added, “It’s crucial for world leaders to communicate with each other at summits.”
