In a dramatic move, former U.S. President Donald $TRUMP unexpectedly departed the G7 summit in Canada on Monday, skipping the final sessions and returning to Washington aboard Air Force One without offering any explanation to the media.
French President Emmanuel Macron swiftly stepped in, suggesting Trump had left to focus on a potential ceasefire between Israel and Iran. However, that narrative unraveled quickly. Trump took to Truth Social to slam Macron’s claim as false, accusing him of being “publicity seeking” and declaring that his departure had “nothing to do with a Cease Fire.”
“He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire,” Trump wrote. “Much bigger than that.” He later added, “Whether purposely or not, Emmanuel always gets it wrong. Stay Tuned!”
The denial stood in stark contrast to a statement from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who earlier told reporters that Trump was leaving early due to “what’s going on in the Middle East.” The conflicting messages left G7 leaders and observers uncertain about Trump’s true motives.
Tensions Over Iran, G7 Struggles to Stay Unified
As G7 leaders worked to finalize a joint position on the escalating Iran-Israel conflict, Trump had already moved on. Soon after leaving the summit, he issued a pointed message on Truth Social, urging civilians in Tehran to “immediately evacuate” and warning, “Iran should have signed the deal I told them to sign.”
He did not elaborate on what deal he was referencing, nor whether any negotiations were currently underway.
Meanwhile, the G7’s final joint statement treaded cautiously. It called for de-escalation in the Middle East and acknowledged the “Iranian crisis,” while also including a mention of a Gaza ceasefire. However, language calling for restraint from both Israel and Iran—originally included in drafts—was ultimately removed following U.S. objections. A line affirming Israel’s right to self-defense remained.
The statement’s vague messaging appeared even more hollow after Israel’s military confirmed the killing of Ali Shadmani, Iran’s top wartime commander. The targeted operation signaled that de-escalation was not a priority for Israel, undermining the G7’s calls for calm.
China, although not part of the G7, responded critically to Israel’s military actions. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that China had engaged with both Tehran and Jerusalem and stood “ready to play a constructive role” in reducing tensions—positioning Beijing as a potential diplomatic counterweight to the G7’s $BTC
fragmented approach.
Trade, Tariffs, and Russia Add to Summit Tensions
Trump didn’t just shift the focus to the Middle East—he also took over the summit’s economic agenda. Before leaving, he announced a bilateral trade agreement with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, making the UK the first G7 nation to sign a deal under Trump’s revised trade terms.
Other leaders, however, left without firm agreements. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said negotiations with the U.S. were ongoing but not yet concluded.
Trump’s sweeping tariffs on G7 allies—paused for 90 days to allow talks—loomed large over all bilateral discussions. Despite the expanded guest list this year, which included representatives from India, Brazil, South Korea, Mexico, Ukraine, Australia, and the European Union, Trump’s actions continued to dominate the spotlight.
In another controversial moment, Trump revisited the topic of Russia’s exclusion from the G8 in 2014. Standing beside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, he remarked, “I believe Russia wouldn’t have invaded Ukraine in 2022 if they hadn’t been kicked out,” calling the original decision to expel Moscow a “big mistake.”
The comment sparked immediate concern among allied nations, particularly those urging stronger U.S. sanctions on Russia. Trump, however, dismissed those appeals.
As the G7 summit drew to a chaotic close, Trump’s abrupt exit and combative rhetoric ensured that uncertainty, not unity, wou
ld define the event’s aftermath.$BTC