Leaders from the world’s major economic powers arrived in the Canadian Rockies on Sunday for a Group of Seven summit, overshadowed by escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, and ongoing trade disputes driven by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The recent exchange of strikes between Israel and Iran has caught many global leaders off guard, raising concerns about growing instability. A U.S. official told the Associated Press that Trump recently vetoed an Israeli plan to target Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, highlighting the severity of the crisis.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he had spoken with Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about efforts to de-escalate the situation and anticipated intense discussions during the summit.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, hosting the summit, has chosen not to issue a final joint communique — a break from tradition — amid concerns that divisions, particularly involving Trump, would prevent consensus. Instead, the summit is expected to be dominated by one-on-one meetings, particularly as leaders attempt to persuade Trump against imposing new tariffs.
Trump remains an unpredictable force at the summit. His recent remarks about making Canada the 51st U.S. state and acquiring Greenland have sparked backlash. French President Emmanuel Macron, who visited Greenland on his way to the summit, firmly rejected the idea, saying Europe would not tolerate any attempt to “take” or “buy” the territory.
Trump arrived in Alberta late Sunday and will meet Carney on Monday morning before the summit officially begins. Leaders from non-G7 nations — including India, Ukraine, Brazil, South Africa, South Korea, Australia, Mexico, and the UAE — have also been invited, with trade concerns expected to remain central.
Speaking before his departure, Trump hinted at new trade deals, suggesting the U.S. could unilaterally impose tariffs if necessary. His past bilateral meetings have raised concerns, with reports of him attempting to pressure leaders from countries like Ukraine and South Africa.
Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien urged leaders to remain calm in the face of potential provocations, advising them to ignore Trump’s theatrics if they occur.
The UK and U.S. recently announced a trade deal reducing tariffs on key goods, but it has yet to be implemented. Starmer’s efforts to maintain close ties with Trump have drawn criticism, particularly in Canada, where he has been pressed to respond to Trump’s remarks about annexing the country.
When asked if he confronted Trump on the matter, Starmer stated: “Canada is an independent, sovereign country and a much-valued member of the Commonwealth,” without providing details of their conversation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also set to attend the summit and meet Trump — their first meeting since a tense Oval Office encounter earlier this year.
While German officials dismissed suggestions the summit will pit six nations against Trump, Chrétien noted that the greatest unpredictability lies in Trump’s shifting moods and his desire to dominate headlines.
