Annual G7 Summit Underway

G7 Leaders Convene in Canada Amid Global Turmoil and Trade Tensions

Kananaskis, Alberta – June 16, 2025– World leaders are gathered in the rugged Canadian Rockies this weekend for the annual G7 Summit, where urgent geopolitical crises and strained trade relations have quickly overshadowed the planned agenda of innovation and sustainability.

The summit, hosted by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the remote town of Kananaskis, was originally expected to highlight economic resilience, energy transition, and advanced technologies like AI and quantum computing. However, global instability—particularly the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran—has dominated discussions and driven a shift in priorities.

Middle East Crisis Takes Priority

The Israel-Iran conflict has taken center stage, with leaders unified in urging restraint and seeking diplomatic avenues to prevent a wider war. Germany, France, and the European Union are calling for expanded sanctions on Iran and stronger regional coordination to contain the fallout. There is also concern about the broader implications for global oil markets and regional nuclear security.

Trump Shakes Up the G7 Agenda

U.S. President Donald Trump arrived at the summit under a cloud of tension, reigniting old trade disputes with America’s closest allies. In private meetings, Trump pushed for revised trade deals with Canada and the United Kingdom and even floated the idea—once again—of reinstating Russia into the G7, a notion that was quickly dismissed by most leaders as politically unworkable. Canadian officials reportedly found the suggestion awkward and distracting amid far more pressing concerns.

Security Scare Over Summit Airspace

A brief security scare unfolded when a private aircraft entered the restricted no-fly zone above the summit location. Canadian CF-18 fighter jets were scrambled in response, escorting the aircraft away without incident. The disruption was handled swiftly but served as a reminder of the high-security tensions surrounding the gathering.

Canada’s Vision Overshadowed

Prime Minister Carney had hoped the summit would showcase Canada’s role as a forward-thinking leader in clean energy, digital innovation, and wildfire response. Instead, his carefully planned themes have been largely sidelined by global conflict and internal G7 disagreements.

One sign of disunity: Canada has already indicated it will not issue a traditional joint communiqué at the conclusion of the summit, reflecting deeper divisions among the participating nations.

Global Players on the Sidelines

While G7 leaders continue their talks, sideline diplomacy is in full swing. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending as a guest, seeking to deepen trade and technology ties with the West. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also present, urging continued military and humanitarian support in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.

The UK and Canada announced plans to launch a bilateral working group focused on trade and investment, while Australia reaffirmed its commitment to the AUKUS security pact.

G7 Summit Outlook

With the summit wrapping up on June 17, observers expect less emphasis on formal joint declarations and more on individual country commitments—particularly around regional security, sanctions enforcement, and potential trade realignments. Despite its remote location, this year’s G7 has become a flashpoint for some of the world’s most urgent diplomatic challenges.

Whether it leads to actionable solutions—or further fractures among global powers—remains to be seen.