Group of Seven leaders arrived in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, on Sunday for three days of intense discussion amid increased tension in the Middle East and President Donald Trump’s reshaping of global alliances.
The annual meeting marks the 50th anniversary of the G7 summit for the leading industrialized nations of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Representatives from the European Union and other heads of state will also be in attendance.
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Tensions are expected to be high among the seven countries, most notably from the unfolding crisis between Israel and Iran.
What is the G7 conference?
The first G7 meeting took place in 1975 in Rambouillet, France. Previously, it was known as the G6 meeting, as Canada did not become a member until 1976.
In 1998, Russia joined the summit, making it the G8, but it was expelled in 2014 following its annexation of Crimea.
The seven countries combined make up 44% of global GDP but only represent 10% of the world’s population.
This year’s summit is being held from Sunday to Tuesday in the Canadian Rockies.
TRUMP IN CANADA: CARNEY ON ‘HIGH-WIRE ACT’ TO AVOID G7 SUMMIT ENDING AS A G6
Who will be in attendance?
Canada is hosting this year’s summit, with this being Prime Minister Mark Carney’s, first time attending, as well as hosting. Other G7 leaders attending are:
Established attendees
- President Donald Trump
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer
- French President Emmanuel Macron
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
Countries invited by Canada
Leaders of India, Mexico, Ukraine, NATO, the World Bank, South Africa, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and Alberta have been invited by Carney and are set to attend.
Leaders not attending
Carney invited Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, but many G7 leaders were upset by the invitation, saying Saudi Arabia and India are in violation of the G7’s priority of “countering foreign interference and transnational crime” and should not have been invited.
China was not invited to the summit and warned G7 leaders on Friday against “manipulating” issues related to the world’s second-largest economy for their own agenda.
What are the major issues?
While the 2025 summit website lists three core actions on this year’s agenda — ”protecting our communities around the world,” “building energy security and accelerating the digital transition,” and “securing the partnerships of the future” — the leaders are likely to focus on other global conflicts.
Trump’s reelection has also opened the door for him to secure wins on other items such as migration, critical minerals, security, and drug trafficking. These issues are set to be discussed on Monday.
Israel-Iran crisis
The Israel-Iran war has shot to the top of the G7 agenda, a subject where finding agreement will be tricky. The strikes on Iran occurred without explicit U.S. support, but leaders know that Trump is the only world leader with leverage over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, making this issue pressing during the summit, according to the BBC.
Leaders know that if the conflict escalates, it could lead to global security and economic changes.
Trump expressed de-escalation support in a Truth Social post on Sunday, saying, “We will have PEACE soon, between Israel and Iran! Many calls and meetings now taking place.”
Later on Sunday, Trump said there is a good chance for a deal to be made during the summit when leaving for Canada.
‘Sometimes they have to fight it out, but we’ll see what happens,” Trump said. “I think there’s a good chance for a deal.”
Global trade and economy
Trump said ahead of the summit that he anticipates new trade deals while in Canada.
“Look, we have our trade deals, all we have to do is send a letter [saying] this is what you’re going to have to pay,” Trump said. “But I think we’ll have a few, few new trade deals.”
Carney has had talks with Trump about a trade deal prior to the summit, according to U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra. Trade tensions may be unavoidable this year, especially after Trump imposed tariffs on almost every country.
Russia-Ukraine war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to meet with Trump and to gain continued support for his country from other countries.
The Russia-Ukraine war is expected to be discussed on Tuesday, and Ukraine is expected to push for more sanctions on Russia.
Von der Leyen said more pressure needs to be put on Russia to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine on Sunday. She has urged the G7 nations to ramp up sanctions to achieve that goal.
Who is the key player?
Trump is the key player in this year’s summit. Most world leaders are hoping for a discussion with Trump during the summit in an effort to talk him out of imposing tariffs or to ensure support in Middle Eastern wars, according to PBS.
Looming over the summit are Trump’s February comments to make Canada the 51st state and to take over Greenland, but his main goals of the summit are to convince world leaders to give their best offers on trade.
What’s expected to come out of the summit?
In previous years, there has been substantive action at G7 summits when leaders agreed to joint sanctions against Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
This year, Canadian officials said they were “scrapping hopes” to issue a joint communiqué, the statement leaders put out at the end of meetings such as the G7 summit.
TRUMP IN CANADA: CARNEY ON ‘HIGH-WIRE ACT’ TO AVOID G7 SUMMIT ENDING AS A G6
Smaller announcements and decisions could also occur through bilateral meetings between Trump and other leaders.
Protests of the summit are expected in Calgary and Banff, Alberta, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.