Diplomats from the G7 member nations are gathering in Canada to finalize a united front following weeks of tension between U.S. allies and President Donald Trump, whose actions have dramatically shifted Western trade and security policies.
Ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States, alongside representatives from the European Union, have convened in the picturesque town of La Malbaie, nestled in the serene Quebec hills. The discussions, taking place over two days, have historically been characterized by a spirit of consensus.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio provided his colleagues with an update on Tuesday’s discussions in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine indicated its willingness to support a 30-day ceasefire agreement.
As the G7 ministers gathered in La Malbaie, lingering uncertainty surrounded the positions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, leaving many delegates questioning the current state of affairs.
Despite these challenges, there remains a glimmer of hope for reaching a meaningful accord. “If we can’t reach agreement on the communiqué, it reflects division,” cautioned EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas during the G7 meeting. “Such a division serves no member’s interest.”
Kallas expressed optimism, highlighting that the draft communiqué contained promising language regarding Ukraine that she hoped would remain intact. A Japanese official voiced similar sentiments, stating that a failure to agree could inadvertently benefit nations like China and Russia.
In a recent development, the U.S. decision to impose a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports led to reciprocal actions from Canada and the EU, underscoring the escalating tensions.
“Under the leadership of the President, we will use these forums to counter our adversaries while standing firm with our allies. America First!” Mr. Rubio stated on social media platform X.
The United States has sought to firmly define its stance on Ukraine, opposing a separate declaration concerning Russia’s so-called shadow fleet—a network that undermines sanctions—and insisting upon more assertive language regarding China.
A draft communiqué reviewed by Reuters notably did not mention potential new sanctions on Russia. However, it underscored the importance of credible security guarantees to ensure a respected ceasefire, allowing Ukraine to deter future aggression and defend itself effectively.
Emphasizing a shift, the draft communiqué—significantly shorter than its predecessor from November targeting Russia—acknowledged U.S. efforts in Jeddah and Ukraine’s commitment to an immediate ceasefire, urging Russia to comply “unconditionally.” Additionally, it contains unequivocal language regarding China, as advocated by the United States, alongside supportive comments about Taiwan likely to be well-received by Taipei.
Since President Trump’s return to office on January 20, 2023, the U.S. approach toward Ukraine has appeared less supportive and increasingly open to stronger ties with Russia, advocating for a swift resolution to the conflict while encouraging European partners to shoulder more responsibility without fully endorsing their roles in forthcoming negotiations.
Complications also arose around discussions involving Gaza and the Middle East, particularly regarding the two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, an area where the U.S. has shown resistance, raising the possibility of stalling the agreement’s progress. A G7 statement from February’s Munich Security Conference similarly lacked mention of a two-state solution; Kallas suggested a potential compromise could emerge here as well.
Furthermore, the draft communiqué issued a stern warning to Syria’s transitional authorities, indicating that targeted measures would be considered if what it termed “massacres” against civilians in coastal areas did not cease.
In a surprising suggestion, President Trump has proposed the potential revival of the G8 by welcoming Russia back into the fold—marking over a decade since its membership was suspended following its annexation of Crimea.
Even countries like Japan, which heavily rely on U.S. security assurances, have found themselves under scrutiny from the current U.S. administration. “It’s very challenging, perhaps we should just wait for the G8,” quipped one European diplomat.
Nowhere are the challenges for U.S. allies more evident than in Canada, where relations have deteriorated sharply due to President Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on all imports and musings about the country potentially becoming the 51st state. Recently, he issued another tariff warning, this time indicating he could impose a 200% tax on wine imports unless Europe withdrew measures against U.S. whiskey.
In response, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced her intention to take a proactive stance at the G7. She will be working closely with European nations to strategize an effective response and exert pressure on the U.S.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
