Global tensions dominate the agenda as the G7 Summit: Leaders face an overwhelming array of high-stakes concerns, with Trump, trade disputes, Gaza, Ukraine, and Iran at the forefront.
Amidst a global trade war, Middle Eastern conflicts, and an ongoing war in Eastern Europe, world leaders will face a daunting agenda full of potential pitfalls when they arrive in Canada on Sunday for the G7 conference.
Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States are the seven permanent members of the summit.
Since the EU is a “non-enumerated” nation, the group is permitted to take part in talks. In 2014, Russia’s annexation of Crimea led to its expulsion from the G7.
Since the summit is being held in Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney is permitted to invite leaders of other nations who participate in discussions from the sidelines. All of the participant nations have developed economies.
From a Canadian point of view, the following is a list of the leaders and members:
President Donald Trump of the United States. He started a trade war earlier this year and has considered annexing Canada. A new economic and security agreement is being worked up between the two nations.
Keir Starmer, the prime minister of the UK. The premier arrived prior to the summit to discuss issues with Carney, and this will be his first visit to Canada.
Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy. The host from the previous year will attend her third summit.
Macron, the president of France. The G7 leader with the longest tenure has attended nine summits on behalf of France.
Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany. The recently elected chancellor has made an effort to call for a truce between Russia and Ukraine. Additionally, Merz is working to improve trade relations with the United States.
Shigeru Ishiba is the prime minister of Japan. He wants to improve ties with Canada after his Liberal Democratic Party was elected last year.
Carney, the prime minister of Canada. Earlier this year, he took over as leader from Justin Trudeau. He claimed to have a three-point global strategy for leaders to consider: strengthening energy security, fostering economic links, and safeguarding communities everywhere.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. She has attended G7 summits before.
The privilege of choosing other nations to attend rests with the leader of the host nation.
Trudeau accused Modi of planning the death of a Sikh-Canadian separatist on Canadian soil, which led to criticism of Carney’s choice of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, Carney cited India’s massive economy as evidence why the country’s leader should be at the G7.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum are among the other leaders invited.
The dates of the summit are June 15–17.
