The 2025 G7 Summit has commenced in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, under the shadow of heightened global tensions and significant geopolitical challenges.
Key Themes and Tensions
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Middle East Crisis Dominates Agenda: The summit is being overshadowed by the recent escalation between Israel and Iran, following Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities and subsequent Iranian counterattacks. This conflict has caught many leaders off guard and is now the primary focus, overtaking previously anticipated topics like Ukraine and trade disputes156.
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Trade Wars and Tariffs: U.S. President Donald Trump’s imposition of new tariffs on G7 allies has created additional strain. While Trump is eager to showcase progress toward new trade deals, officials and analysts are skeptical that any breakthroughs will occur during the summit, especially as the U.S. is preoccupied with the Middle East crisis and looming tariff deadlines35.
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Uncertain Unity: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, as summit host, has opted not to issue a traditional joint communique, reflecting the difficulty in reaching consensus among leaders. Many expect the summit to devolve into a series of bilateral talks rather than a unified front110.
Security and Attendance
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High Security and Protests: Calgary and the surrounding area are experiencing increased law enforcement presence, with officers from across Western Canada supporting security efforts. Designated protest zones have been established in anticipation of demonstrations2.
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Who’s Attending: Leaders from the G7 nations (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States) are present, along with the European Union and invited guests from countries such as India, Australia, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, and South Korea. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is confirmed to attend, continuing his tradition of participating in recent summits245.
Other Major Topics
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Ukraine and Russia: While the Middle East is the immediate crisis, the ongoing war in Ukraine remains a critical concern. G7 finance ministers recently pledged continued support for Ukraine, expanded sanctions against Russia, and measures to freeze Russian assets25.
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China and Indo-Pacific Tensions: Discussions are expected on China’s growing military presence in the East and South China Seas and its economic practices, though these may take a back seat to the more urgent Middle East situation5.
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Global Economy and Wildfires: The summit’s agenda also includes economic instability and the impact of wildfires in Canada, but these issues are likely to be overshadowed by security crises45.
Outlook and Expectations
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Little Hope for Major Agreements: Given the divisive atmosphere—marked by Trump’s unpredictable stance, trade disputes, and divergent approaches to the Middle East—analysts predict few, if any, major breakthroughs or unified statements3610.
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Focus on Crisis Management: The G7’s role as a crisis response group is being put to the test, with leaders under pressure to manage escalating global risks and maintain some semblance of cooperation156.
“Everybody just wants to survive. There’s not a lot of interest in making deals.”
— Ivo Daalder, President of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs3
In summary, the 2025 G7 Summit is unfolding amid unprecedented global instability, with leaders grappling with urgent security threats, economic uncertainty, and deep divisions on how to respond. The world’s attention is fixed on whether the G7 can maintain relevance and unity in the face of mounting crises.
- https://apnews.com/article/g7-summit-canada-trump-iran-b98aad10779d9af5456c1a6553ffe59b
- https://calgaryherald.com/news/live-coverage-g7-summit-kananaskis-2025-june-15
- https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/15/trump-g7-trade-deals-expectations-00405578
- https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/15/world/canada/g7-summit-2025.html
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/15/g7-summit-who-is-attending-and-whats-on-the-agenda
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpvk9rj73zdo
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/g7-carney-trump-charlevoix-analysis-1.7560971
- https://g7.canada.ca/en/news-and-media/news/
- https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/international_relations-relations_internationales/g7/index.aspx?lang=eng
- https://www.reuters.com/world/china/g7-leaders-meet-canada-hoping-avoid-trump-clash-2025-06-15/
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