World leaders at the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada on Monday sought to dissuade U.S. President Donald Trump from his escalating trade war, which poses a significant risk to global economic stability.
Despite host Canada’s efforts to avoid provoking President Trump and with attention drawn to events in the Middle East, leaders at the summit collectively urged the U.S. leader to reverse his plans to impose even steeper tariffs on countries worldwide as early as next month.
A senior German official, speaking anonymously to reporters, stated, “Several participants asked to end the tariff dispute as soon as possible. They argued that this dispute weakens the G7’s economies and in the end will only strengthen China.” The official added that the other six nations impressed upon Trump that his protectionist policies were “damaging to ourselves.”
Most G7 member countries are already subject to a 10 percent baseline tariff imposed by President Trump, under a temporary relaxation of higher rates. Additionally, European nations and Japan face further levies on imported cars, steel, and aluminum.
In May, Britain became the first country to sign a preliminary agreement with Washington to avert deeper tariffs. At the G7 summit, both President Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced they had finalized and signed this accord.
“I like them. That’s the ultimate protection,” Trump told reporters after a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Starmer on the sidelines of the G7. During a photo opportunity, as Trump opened a folder to display the signed documents, the paperwork inadvertently scattered across the ground. “Oops, sorry about that,” he remarked as Prime Minister Starmer quickly gathered the loose sheets and returned them to the folder.
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