President Donald Trump is set to leave the G7 summit in Canada earlier than anticipated, citing the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. Initially scheduled to depart on Tuesday, Trump will now head back to Washington on Monday night, amidst growing concerns over the Middle East conflict. His announcement came via a post on his social media platform, urging the evacuation of Tehran and underscoring the crisis.
The unexpected schedule change means Trump will miss his planned meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, both of whom he was supposed to meet on Tuesday. Claudia Sheinbaum, however, has decided to remain at the summit and continue discussions with other world leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
This isn’t the first instance of Trump leaving a G7 summit early. In 2018, during the Quebec summit, he departed ahead of schedule following disputes over the final communiqué. Once again, he’s opting to skip certain summit sessions, this time due to pressing international issues.
President Trump has assured his fellow G7 leaders that they understand his necessity to return to Washington promptly. Hosting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his understanding of Trump’s decision, highlighting gratitude for his presence.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is on his way to the Situation Room at the White House, amid ongoing Middle East tensions. The U.S. has been adjusting its military deployments in response to the potential for further conflict escalation.
The G7 summit itself isn’t immune to challenges. Security measures around the event are heightened not just for diplomatic reasons but also due to the presence of native wildlife, such as black bears and grizzlies, in the Canadian Rockies where the summit is being held.
Despite the summit’s focus on economic and environmental issues, the situation in the Middle East has dominated discussions. President Trump has been vocal about Iran’s nuclear capabilities, emphasizing that “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” a stance he reiterated through his social media channels.
In trade discussions, Trump and the summit host Carney have agreed on a 30-day window to finalize a trade deal. Although Trump has been cautious about imposing sanctions on Russia, he expressed an interest in waiting for European actions before making any American commitments.
The president’s itinerary at the G7 has involved several high-level meetings, including those with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, indicating a tight schedule filled with crucial diplomatic discussions.
Amidst these global affairs, domestic issues continue to brew. A judge has questioned recent NIH grant cuts under Trump’s administration, hinting at potential racial discrimination behind them. Meanwhile, policies from Trump’s tenure continue to spark legal challenges, such as an ongoing lawsuit from anti-domestic violence coalitions against federal grant restrictions perceived to undermine diversity and inclusion efforts.
In lighter news, Trump received a signed jersey from soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, cementing relations on the cultural front. Yet, on the economic stage, Trump remains critical of America’s relationship with global partners and has remarked on past exclusions, such as Russia’s expulsion from what once was the G8.
The summit, marked by significant diplomatic and security challenges, serves as a reminder of the complex geopolitical climate and the role of such international assemblies in addressing pressing global issues. Trump’s early exit serves to underline the tensions and urgencies that often intersect with these gatherings.