World leaders assemble in Canada for G7 Summit with tensions high on agenda

TRENTON, Canada

World leaders are arriving in Canada on Sunday for the G7 summit to face a daunting agenda full of pitfalls set against the backdrop of a world tariff war, conflicts in the Middle East and a lingering war in Eastern Europe.

The summit includes seven permanent countries – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US. The EU is a “non-enumerated” country which allows the organization to participate in discussions. Russia was suspended from the G7 in 2014 due to its annexation of Crimea.

All the member countries have advanced economies and since the summit is taking place in Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney is allowed to invite other countries’ leaders who sit on the sidelines during discussions.

Here is a list of the members and leaders as seen through a Canadian perspective:

US President Donald Trump. Earlier this year he launched a trade war and has mused about annexing Canada. The two countries are attempting to hammer out a new trade and security pact.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. It will be the premier’s first trip to Canada and he arrived before the summit to discuss issues with Carney.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Last year’s host will participate in her third summit.

French President Emmanuel Macron. The longest serving G7 leader has represented France through nine summits.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The newly-elected chancellor has attempted to invoke a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. Merz is also trying to strengthen trade ties with the US.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. His Liberal Democratic Party was elected last year and his goal is to firm up relations with Canada.

Canadian Prime Minister Carney. He replaced Justin Trudeau as leader earlier this year. He said he has a three-point global plan for leaders to discuss – protecting communities world-wide, heighten energy security and creating economic bonds.

President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen. She is a veteran G7 summit attendee.

The host country leader has the privilege of selecting other countries to attend.

Carney’s selection of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi was criticized, given Trudeau accused Modi of organizing the assassination of a Sikh-Canadian separatist on Canadian soil. But Carney pointed to India’s huge economy and said the leader of India deserved to be at the G7.

Other invited leaders are President of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, among others.

The summit runs from June 15 to 17.