G7 ‌Summit ⁢Agenda: Trade Tensions, ⁤Ukraine War, and ‍modi Invitation

​ ​ Updated June 15, 2025
⁤

The upcoming G7 summit is set to ⁣grapple with pressing global issues,‍ including trade tensions, the ongoing ​Russia-Ukraine war,​ and the Israel-Iran crisis. Discussions⁤ will also address global development and energy security.

Canadian Prime Minister⁤ Mark Carney’s invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra⁤ Modi has sparked controversy. Relations between ⁢India and Canada have been strained since Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in the assassination of a Sikh ⁤separatist leader in Canada in 2023. The ⁤World Sikh ⁤Organization called⁢ the invitation a “betrayal,” while the Sikh Federation of Canada deemed it a “grave ‌insult.”

Carney defended ​his decision, citing India’s‌ status as ⁢the world’s fifth-largest ⁢economy and its central ⁣role⁤ in global supply chains. He ‍also‍ noted progress in law enforcement dialog between the two ​countries.

Leaders from Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, South ⁢Africa, South​ Korea, and Ukraine are ‍also expected ‌to attend the gathering.

During ⁣his presidency, Donald Trump imposed tariffs on ⁢numerous countries, triggering a global‍ trade war. While these broad ‌tariffs are unlikely⁢ to be ⁤a formal agenda item, Carney will try to prevent further ​trade disputes among⁤ member states as manny countries seek trade deals with the U.S.

The UK recently reached‌ a trade⁤ agreement‌ with the U.S., reducing tariffs on U.S. goods. The EU and Japan ⁤are also hoping to secure agreements ⁣before the ⁢end of Trump’s tariff‍ pause ⁤in July.

John Kirton, of the G7⁣ Research Group at ⁤the ⁣University‍ of Toronto, suggested⁢ Trump is‍ less likely to cause disruption ​this year, noting Carney’s good relationship with⁤ Trump and the‌ U.S. hosting​ the G7 ‍in⁤ 2027.

The G7 summit website lists three core actions: protecting communities, building energy security,‌ and securing future partnerships. However, the ‌Israel-Iran​ conflict is expected to dominate ‍discussions.

Julia‌ Kulik,‌ director of strategic ‍initiatives for the G7 Research Group, said global⁤ peace conversations will likely⁢ shift focus to ‌Iran, with leaders questioning ⁣Trump’s handling of negotiations ‍and efforts to de-escalate tensions.

Robert Rogowsky, professor of trade and economic ⁤diplomacy at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies,‌ said the crisis in the Middle East is unavoidable. “That attack,counterattack,and the US ⁢declaration that it was not ⁤involved and its warning about staying away from American⁢ assets as targets‍ is likely​ to‍ be the ‍first thing discussed,as​ it⁣ now creates the possibility⁢ of a real,all-out war in the⁤ Middle East,” Rogowsky said.

While Carney hopes ‌to focus on supply chains for critical minerals, ⁣China‌ may also be a key topic. Following ​a meeting of G7 finance ministers in​ May, a joint ⁢statement highlighted concerns about “nonmarket policies and practices” contributing to ‌global trade⁢ imbalances, seen ‍as a veiled reference to China.

Leaders are‍ also ​expected to ‍discuss rising tensions between China and Taiwan, as well as China’s military presence in the East and South China Seas.

A joint ⁢statement from G7 foreign ministers in March expressed support for ​Ukraine and ⁤discussed further costs for Russia if a⁤ ceasefire ⁢is not agreed upon. While the UK and ‌EU announced new sanctions,‌ the U.S. has not followed suit.

Global development, ⁣notably ‍in African countries, has been a G7 focus. However, the U.S. has signaled a shift away​ from economic⁤ and humanitarian assistance, with planned cuts ⁣to USAID and other ​initiatives.

Trump is expected to ⁢meet with ⁣European​ Commission President Ursula von der ⁤Leyen and Japan’s prime Minister‍ Shigeru Ishiba to discuss⁢ trade deals.⁤ A ⁤meeting between ‍Trump, Carney,‍ and Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum may also occur to address trade and border security.

South Africa’s president⁣ Cyril Ramaphosa will have a second meeting with Trump during the summit, following thier May meeting where Trump accused South Africa of “genocide” against white farmers.

What’s next

The G7 summit will likely set the stage⁢ for future‌ international relations and trade agreements, with the potential to address critical global conflicts and economic imbalances.