Bloomberg: G7 leaders to forgo joint communique to prevent clash with Trump

The Group of Seven nations have decided not to pursue a unified final communique at their upcoming leaders’ summit in Canada, a move that reflects the growing policy divide between the United States and its G7 counterparts on issues such as Ukraine, climate change, and global cooperation, according to sources familiar with internal discussions.

According to recent material by Bloomberg, instead of a traditional single declaration, the summit is expected to conclude with individual joint statements on specific topics. The decision, which has not been made public, aligns with the preference of the Canadian hosts. Prime Minister Mark Carney is seeking to minimise friction with US President Donald Trump and maintain constructive dialogue on key matters like trade and security.

Joint communiques are typically a hallmark of G7 summits, serving as symbolic declarations of unity among member nations on pressing global challenges. While they carry no legal force, these statements are seen as important expressions of shared intent. The communique issued at last year’s gathering spanned 36 pages and included commitments on supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia, addressing climate change, and advancing gender equality.

However, President Trump has reversed course on many of these policies. He has refrained from endorsing Ukraine over Russia, rolled back US climate initiatives, and dismissed gender equality efforts as part of what he calls a “woke” Democratic agenda.

Prime Minister Carney is determined to avoid a repeat of the 2018 G7 summit, also held in Canada, where Trump abruptly withdrew US support from the communique after taking offence at remarks made by then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a press briefing.

This year’s G7 summit will feature discussions on a broad range of topics beyond trade and security, including artificial intelligence, energy resilience, wildfire management, and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend, along with invited leaders from India, Brazil, Mexico, and other nations.

Following the discord in 2018, G7 leaders began issuing shorter final documents that required less negotiation and contained fewer points of contention. Caitlin Welsh, who served in the Trump administration’s first term, noted that this trend has continued.

Speaking during a briefing by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Welsh said the current US administration maintains the view that “no deal is better than a bad deal” and favours a more pared-down, foundational approach to the G7 format.

She added that the Trump administration has long believed the G7 had drifted from its original mission of fostering global economic growth and stability. In contrast, she said Carney’s agenda this year appears to return to those core G7 principles.