The G7 has finally come to an end, after a dramatic few days in Canada that were completely overshadowed by Donald Trump and the Middle East. In the last few minutes, chairman Mark Carney has published the summit’s final summary, which includes grovelling thanks to the US president despite his uncollegiate antics this week.
The concluding statement is also branded the “chair’s summary” instead of the typical communique, noting a failure to reach broad agreement on the major issues up for discussion in Kananaskis. While the communique is typically much broader, the seven leaders have instead agreed to six narrower points, ranging from mineral supply chains, AI, quantum technology, wildfires, and migrants. In total the seven joint statements released tonight are just one quarter the length of last year’s communique, again highlighting the divisions within the group.
There is also an eyebrow-raising agreement on the “fundamental principle of state sovereignty”, coming amid demands by Donald Trump for Canada to succeed to the United States as its 51st state.
Despite the US president’s decision to quit the summit early, in a major snub to both the host nation and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Chair’s Summary expresses “support for President Trump’s efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine” as an olive branch to keep him on side.
While Sir Keir Starmer failed to get support from the US President for his new sanctions on Russia, the statement insists G7 leaders “are resolute in exploring all options to maximize pressure on Russia, including financial sanctions.”
It also reiterates demands for peace and stability in the Middle East, the importance of “unhindered humanitarian aid to Gaza, the release of all hostages and an immediate and permanent ceasefire”.
It takes aim at China and North Korea, slamming the latter’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes.
The summit also demanded an end to North Korea’s “cryptocurrency thefts”.
Sir Keir achieved a win by seeing the inclusion of a resolution to continue collaboration to promote border security and counter migrant smuggling.
Bringing the annual meeting to a close, Canadian premier Mark Carney said the gathering “can begin a new era of cooperation that promotes long-term resilience over short-term efficiency.”
At his closing press conference, Mr Carney added: “President Trump and I will remain in close contact.”