Dubbed the 'most awkward summit in history,' the G7 summit aimed not to argue—and the group photo was the only point of consensus.

On June 16, the 51st G7 Summit was held in Canmore, Canada. Due to the convergence of multiple contradictions, the summit has been widely dubbed the 'most awkward G7 summit in history.' This is Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first major international conference since assuming office. As host country, Canada originally had three goals: to play a leadership role on the global stage, to become the strongest G7 economy, and to reduce dependence on the United States. Carney also invited leaders from Europe and NATO, as well as from Australia, South Africa, South Korea, Indonesia, and Brazil. Carney’s original plan was derailed when the Iran issue became the top agenda item for the G7—a topic extremely difficult to reach consensus on. Additionally, how Carney would respond to U.S. President Donald Trump, who repeatedly undermines Canadian sovereignty, drew intense attention. The summit coincides with Trump’s launch of a global tariff war, using tariffs to rebalance trade relations. The World Bank forecasts that, due to America’s tariff war, the global economy will experience its slowest decade of growth since the 1960s—making inevitably awkward—diplomatically termed 'frank'—dialogue unavoidable at this meeting. This marks Trump’s second visit to Canada as U.S. president; his first was in 2018, shortly after he announced steel and aluminum tariffs against Canada, Mexico, and Europe, followed by the G7 Summit in Charlevoix, Quebec. The Charlevoix summit is best remembered for an iconic photograph: former German Chancellor Angela Merkel confronting an arrogant Trump under the watchful eyes of other world leaders. The summit ended in heated disputes and chaos, with Trump departing early. Compared to the last summit, internal Western contradictions have deepened further during Trump’s second term: declaring Canada the '51st U.S. state'; vowing to annex Denmark’s Greenland by any means; launching a global tariff war; and even threatening to withdraw from NATO... Carney hoped to host a summit commemorating the G7’s 50th anniversary—avoiding confrontation with Trump. Most of his agenda items were non-controversial: energy security, safeguarding mineral supply chains, accelerating digital transformation, and responding to wildfires. Summit organizers deliberately designed the schedule to maximize physical separation between Trump and other leaders: reducing plenary sessions and increasing bilateral meetings—so leaders wouldn’t sit together at the same table. All these arrangements aimed to avoid any unnecessary, accidental, or embarrassing clashes with the U.S. president. Carney even opted not to issue a joint communiqué after the summit—evidence of how deep the rifts within the West have grown, and how hard the G7 is trying to conceal these serious divisions. One day before the summit, French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Greenland—a self-governing territory of Denmark—to express solidarity. Macron stated his visit conveyed France’s and the EU’s united support for Denmark’s and Greenland’s sovereignty, strongly condemning Trump’s plan to control Greenland and warning that Greenland’s situation serves as a wake-up call for all Europeans. A chasm now separates Europe and the United States—one impossible to mask, no matter how hard they try. The Trump administration skipped the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and openly disdains international coordination mechanisms.

France struggles to gather attendees for its G7 summit!

# In the past, many countries went to great lengths just to attend the G7 Summit—but today, attitudes toward the meeting have shifted dramatically: it’s now seen as optional. It may not achieve anything substantial, and instead risks descending into endless arguments. This year’s G7 Summit is to be held in France. To ensure the event appears dignified and meaningful, President Macron has truly exhausted every effort. Yet even his own team doubts its success: 'The G7 wants only to project unity—but that may be wishful thinking.' As the annual G7 Leaders’ Summit approaches, U.S. media have poured cold water on expectations. From June 15 to 17 local time, the G7 Summit will convene in Évian-les-Bains, nestled in the French Alps. Reports indicate the White House set modest goals for this summit: simply to demonstrate to the world that these leading global economies can still cooperate. Other G7 members share similarly limited expectations. To enhance his own prestige, Macron resorted to alternative strategies—such as inviting guest participants. Today, the G7 Summit is no longer solely about those seven nations: each host routinely invites countries from the Global South. This year, Macron repeatedly proposed inviting China—though only virtually. China politely declined, deeming such participation unnecessary. Even Saudi Arabia declined Macron’s invitation, citing scheduling conflicts—and likely sensing something amiss. This year’s G7 Summit is expected to discuss the Strait of Hormuz. According to AFP, Macron posted a video on Instagram on Sunday (June 14), stating that related issues would be discussed at Monday’s (June 15) G7 Summit in France—including assessing the implementation of agreements, supporting Lebanon, ensuring the Strait of Hormuz’s long-term reopening, 'and, of course, Iran’s nuclear activities and ballistic missile programs.' If this agenda proceeds, Saudi Arabia may again be brought up—as leverage to pressure Iran. In Macron’s view, inviting China was also intended to mitigate the G7’s embarrassment, given the bloc’s deep internal divisions. Since Trump took office, the U.S. has clearly drifted apart from the EU.

Macron Says G7 to Meet Soon to Discuss Energy Crisis

3 days ago

President Macron announced an upcoming G7 meeting to coordinate responses to the energy crisis stemming from the Iran war. Discussions will cover supply security, strategic reserve releases, and mitigating fuel price impacts.

reuters

2026-09-18

Macron Says G7 to Meet Soon to Discuss Energy Crisis

Macron Says G7 to Meet Soon to Discuss Energy Crisis

FAQ