WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump will attend next month’s G7 summit in France, as tensions continue to grow between Washington and its allies over trade policies, the Iran war and global economic concerns.
The summit of the Group of Seven leading economies will take place in the French Alpine resort town of Evian from June 15 to 17.
Trump’s participation had remained uncertain in recent weeks amid disagreements between the United States and several allied countries over Washington’s foreign and economic policies.
According to reports, the US president is expected to focus discussions on artificial intelligence, international trade and crime prevention during the summit.
The meeting, however, comes at a time of increasing friction between the United States and other G7 members, particularly over the US-Israeli war on Iran, which began earlier this year.
Disrupting international shipping
Trump has repeatedly criticised allied countries for what he described as insufficient support in efforts related to the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway that Iran has effectively shut down during the conflict, triggering sharp increases in global oil prices and disrupting international shipping.
Several Western allies have meanwhile raised concerns about the economic fallout of the conflict, especially as they continue dealing with tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
The White House had earlier indicated that France adjusted the summit dates to accommodate Trump’s schedule. The US president is also expected to host a cage fight event at the White House on June 14, coinciding with his 80th birthday.
Trump’s participation in the upcoming NATO summit in Turkiye in July has not yet been officially confirmed.
The Group of Seven includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. The presidency of the bloc rotates annually, with the host country organising summits and ministerial meetings throughout the year.
