June 15, 2025 – Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) nations have begun to converge in the picturesque Canadian Rockies for their annual summit, a gathering immediately overshadowed by the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran and the persistent trade disputes spearheaded by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Hosted by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the summit is being held from June 15 to 17 in the remote mountain resort of Kananaskis, Alberta. Carney, who took office earlier this year following Justin Trudeau's resignation, has set a pragmatic tone for the summit, notably deciding to forgo the traditional joint communique at its conclusion. This move is widely seen as an effort to prevent a repeat of past G7 gatherings where disagreements, particularly with the U.S. administration, led to contentious outcomes and a lack of unified statements. Instead, Canada is expected to issue a series of "short, action-oriented statements" on specific topics.
The intensifying conflict in the Middle East, with Israel's "Operation Rising Lion" targeting Iranian infrastructure and Iran's retaliatory missile strikes, has seized the immediate attention of the G7 leaders. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, en route to the summit, indicated that de-escalation efforts would be a significant focus of discussions, having already conferred with President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The crisis highlights a more volatile global landscape, and leaders are keen to manage the risks of a broader regional conflict that could send oil prices soaring and destabilize the global economy.
Adding to the complexities are President Trump's "America First" policies and his continued imposition of tariffs, which have strained relations with key allies within the G7. Experts suggest that the summit risks devolving into a series of bilateral conversations, particularly as other leaders seek to engage Trump on trade issues in an effort to avert further protectionist measures. The G7, originally formed to discuss global economic crises, now finds itself grappling with internal trade disputes.
Despite these challenges, the war in Ukraine remains a crucial agenda item. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend the summit and is anticipated to hold a significant meeting with President Trump. This meeting comes months after a reportedly "bruising" encounter in the Oval Office and will be closely watched for any shifts in Trump's stance towards Russia and support for Kyiv. Zelenskyy's objective will likely be to assess Trump's thinking on continued aid and sanctions against Moscow.
Canada's G7 presidency has identified three core priorities for the summit: protecting global communities and security, building energy security and accelerating the digital transition, and securing future partnerships. The agenda includes discussions on strengthening peace and security, countering foreign interference, improving responses to wildfires, fortifying critical mineral supply chains, and harnessing artificial intelligence and quantum technologies for economic growth.
As the leaders gather, the consensus among analysts is that Prime Minister Carney's primary goal will be to maintain the integrity and unity of the G7 in a turbulent geopolitical environment, even if it means streamlining the traditional outcomes of the summit.
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