US President Donald Trump landed in Alberta for the G7 Summit, marking his return to a global stage he once snubbed. The visit comes amid tensions in the Middle East and a chorus of allies seeking to soften his tariff stance.
The summit, hosted in the scenic town of Kananaskis, promises high drama, low patience, and uncertain outcomes.
From Boycott to Spotlight: Trump’s Unexpected Return
This isn’t your regular diplomatic tour. Trump arriving in Canada for the G7 feels like a full-circle moment — just not the sentimental kind.
Seven years ago, he left the G7 fuming, refusing to sign the joint communique and blasting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “dishonest and weak.” Now, here he is — strolling out of Air Force One in Calgary, like nothing happened. Or maybe because everything happened.
World leaders have mixed feelings. Some say it’s good he’s back. Others brace for the usual curveballs.
Global Flashpoints Cloud the Agenda
While Trump is back in the G7 club for the moment, the world outside the summit halls isn’t exactly calm. Iran and Israel are locked in a worsening standoff, with reports of cyberattacks and drone strikes dominating headlines back home.
That conflict is bound to dominate side discussions. But insiders say the leaders have a laundry list of issues ready for the closed-door meetings. Climate. Trade. AI regulation. And Trump’s favorite — tariffs.
Still, the Israel-Iran issue is stealing attention fast.
“Anything else we came here to talk about just feels like background noise,” one EU official told FP News. “This isn’t just a G7 anymore. It’s a crisis meeting in disguise.”
The Tariff Talk No One Wants — But Everyone’s Having
Let’s be real. Trump hasn’t exactly eased up on his economic nationalism. Since reclaiming the White House earlier this year, he’s proposed a 10% blanket tariff on all imports — yes, all imports.
That’s rattled allies, infuriated supply chains, and put the IMF on edge. So don’t be surprised if the tariff issue eats up most of the leaders’ face-time with Trump.
Here’s what’s at stake:
-
European automakers fear a U.S. tax wall.
-
Canadian dairy farmers are anxious about renewed disputes.
-
Japanese tech exporters are bracing for bottlenecks.
A French delegate, speaking under condition of anonymity, said the mood going into the talks is “nervous, bordering on nauseous.”
Modi Joins the Mix After Croatia and Cyprus
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to arrive in Canada later today, following visits to Croatia and Cyprus. His presence adds a layer of complexity — and perhaps opportunity.
Modi is seen as someone who can connect well with Trump, especially after their joint rallies in Houston and Ahmedabad in the past.
Though India isn’t a G7 member, Modi has been a regular invitee in recent years. He’s expected to weigh in on tech cooperation, climate finance, and food security — but observers say he may also act as a bridge between the US and Europe on trade issues.
Short paragraph here just to keep things breezy.
Behind Closed Doors in Kananaskis
The summit venue — Kananaskis — is a small mountain town known more for skiing than for hosting geopolitical powerhouses. But for three days, it’s the center of the world.
Security is tight. Access is restricted. Diplomats are holed up in cabins. And the schedule? Packed and unpredictable.
Here’s a glimpse of what’s on the table:
| Issue | Stakeholders | Tension Level |
|---|---|---|
| Tariffs | US, EU, Japan, Canada | High |
| Iran-Israel Conflict | US, UK, France, Germany | Severe |
| Climate Commitments | All | Medium |
| AI Ethics & Policy | US, EU | Low (for now) |
It’s worth noting that Trump hasn’t yet committed to any joint communique this time either. So, expect fireworks — or maybe just silence.
Trump’s Personal Touch: Blunt, Bold, and Barely Filtered
This summit isn’t just about policies. It’s about personalities. And no personality looms larger than Trump’s.
He reportedly told aides before landing, “Let’s remind them who’s boss.” That’s not exactly the attitude most leaders are hoping for in a summit built on consensus.
At dinner last night, he reportedly joked about “annexing Alberta” — though White House staff quickly downplayed it as humor.
Even so, some G7 leaders are already crafting Plan B in case Trump stonewalls the talks again.
One EU diplomat quipped, “We’ve brought pens to sign a deal. He’s brought a marker to cross it out.”
Watching the Optics, Reading Between the Lines
The public moments — handshakes, photo ops, awkward side-eyes — they matter. Especially with Trump.
Watch for how long leaders talk privately. See who sits next to whom at dinner. That’ll tell you more than the press releases.
A few things to watch for today:
-
If Trump holds bilateral meetings with Trudeau or Macron.
-
Whether Germany’s Chancellor publicly confronts him on tariffs.
-
How Modi’s presence influences the trade dynamics.
The G7 isn’t just a policy summit. It’s a theater. And right now, Trump’s got top billing again.
