In Kananaskis, Alberta, the Group of Seven summit was unexpectedly cut short as President Donald Trump left on Monday, abandoning the conference a day earlier than planned due to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. This development came after a stern declaration from Trump urging immediate evacuation from Tehran amidst rising conflicts. The summit in Canada was primarily aimed at addressing various global issues, but was overshadowed by the intensifying situation concerning Iran’s nuclear program. Just days before, Israel had undertaken an aerial assault on Iran.
During the summit, Trump insisted that Tehran needs to halt its nuclear activities to avert crisis, emphasizing that Iranian leaders had not reached a compromise regarding their nuclear ambitions despite a 60-day window before Israel’s actions. “A deal needs to be made,” Trump asserted. However, when questioned about potential U.S. military involvement in the conflict, Trump refrained from elaborating.
Israel has targeted numerous Iranian nuclear facilities, yet the fortified Fordo uranium enrichment site remains intact. Situated deep underground, its elimination could require the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a bunker-busting bomb not possessed by Israel and typically delivered via B-2 stealth bombers.
By Monday afternoon, Trump issued a grave advisory on social media, urging immediate evacuation from Tehran. He then chose to leave the summit, skipping Tuesday’s sessions focused on Ukraine and global trade. While posing for a group photo with other G7 leaders, Trump stated, “I have to be back, very important.” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged Trump’s swift departure, appreciating his presence and understanding his decision.
The sudden exit highlighted the growing global strain, with Trump’s administration implementing tariffs on numerous countries potentially risking a global economic slowdown. Concurrently, conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza showed little signs of resolution. Trump favored a more unilateral approach rather than seeking consensus with the G7 allies, which include the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Canada.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz convened informally to discuss the escalating Middle East conflict. Merz indicated that Germany would propose a communique emphasizing that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons-capable material.
G7 leaders collectively signed a statement on Monday reaffirming that Iran must not develop nuclear weaponry, advocating for broader de-escalation in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza. Trump stated Iran would not prevail and urged immediate discussions before it was too late. However, as he prepared to leave the Canadian Rockies, Trump indicated possible repercussions on existing military, political, and economic landscapes.
His post on Truth Social highlighted the need to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, in alignment with his “America First” policies. The extent to which Trump values the G7’s insights remains uncertain, given his past criticisms and preference for different diplomatic directions.
As cameras departed the summit’s opening session, Carney acknowledged the attention Trump’s remarks on the Middle East, Russia, and China had generated. The German, U.K., Japanese, and Italian governments hoped for cooperative relations with Trump to reduce public drama, especially given past instances such as Trump’s 2018 resistance to a joint communique at the Canadian G7 summit.
Originally a 1973 finance ministers’ meeting addressing the oil crisis, the G7 evolved to annually unite world leaders to tackle global issues. Russia had been part of the extended G8 until its 2014 expulsion following Crimea’s annexation. Besides Carney and Starmer, Trump held discussions with Merz, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, covering international tariffs and regional crises.
Trump’s earlier schedule included talks with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who anticipated discussing a U.S. defense package for Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia. However, the status of this package now seems uncertain following Trump’s early departure.
Tariff discussions formed a significant summit aspect, with Trump implementing considerable tariffs on steel, aluminum, and autos, further impacting global trade dynamics. Despite a trade framework agreement with Starmer, existing tariffs mostly remain due to plans to finance recent tax cuts. Canada and Mexico face distinct tariffs as Trump targets issues like fentanyl smuggling, although existing treaties provide some product protections.
Merz acknowledged that no immediate tariff resolution was likely but suggested potential incremental progress. Carney’s office reflected on trade discussions with Trump, highlighting a mutual agreement to pursue negotiations for a potential deal within 30 days.