Trump Exits G7 as Mideast War Escalates, Warns Iran on Nukes \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Trump left the G7 summit in Canada a day early, citing escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. He warned Tehran must be evacuated immediately and said Iran has failed to act on nuclear negotiations. Other G7 leaders pushed for de-escalation, but Trump stressed America’s right to act unilaterally.
Quick Looks
- Early Departure: Trump left the G7 summit Monday, skipping key sessions on Ukraine and global trade.
- Tehran Warning: He called for the immediate evacuation of Tehran, saying Iran must act “before it’s too late.”
- Summit Tensions: European leaders sought de-escalation; Trump criticized the 2014 removal of Russia from the G7.
- Trade Disputes: Trump confirmed new tariffs and signed a UK trade framework with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
- Diplomatic Void: His departure leaves uncertainty around U.S. roles in Ukraine defense discussions and G7 consensus.
- Global Impact: G7 unity fractured amid multiple crises—from the Middle East to global economic strain.
Deep Look
President Donald Trump’s abrupt departure from the Group of Seven (G7) summit Monday marked a significant rupture in both diplomatic protocol and international crisis management. As the conflict between Israel and Iran escalated to new heights, Trump declared that Tehran should be evacuated “immediately” and left the summit a day early, skipping crucial discussions on Ukraine and global trade.
The G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, was intended to be a platform for the world’s leading democracies to address pressing global challenges collaboratively. Instead, it became a backdrop for Trump’s escalating rhetoric on Iran, his renewed push for unilateral action, and growing isolation from the multilateral approach favored by the group’s other leaders.
As Israel launched its most aggressive aerial assault on Iran in recent history, Trump issued a dire warning: “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” He followed this with comments emphasizing that Iran must curb its nuclear ambitions “before it’s too late.” Trump has claimed that Iran was given 60 days to reach a nuclear deal and failed to do so—asserting that negotiations must happen now or face dire consequences.
His departure was unexpected. Scheduled to meet with leaders including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Tuesday, Trump instead said he “had to be back, very important,” leaving the Canadian Rockies with little notice.
Behind the scenes, G7 leaders—including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer—held emergency side meetings to address the growing crisis in the Middle East. Merz said Germany would propose a communique insisting Iran “must under no circumstances be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons-capable material.”
Yet Trump appeared disinterested in consensus-building. Instead, he suggested that America’s security and leadership required decisive, independent action. On his Truth Social platform, he posted: “AMERICA FIRST means many GREAT things, including the fact that, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”
Trump’s foreign policy stance clashed with the summit’s spirit. He questioned the exclusion of Russia from the G7—removed in 2014 after the annexation of Crimea—and even floated the idea of including China. This shocked some diplomats, as both nations represent autocratic governance, contrary to the G7’s democratic values.
Tensions were also high around trade. Trump has imposed sweeping tariffs: 50% on steel and aluminum, 25% on autos, and 10% on most imports—with a July 9 deadline looming for further increases. Despite this, he signed a previously announced UK trade framework alongside PM Starmer, emphasizing that British trade was protected “because I like them.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the summit host, acknowledged Trump’s influence while attempting to maintain diplomacy. “I am very grateful for the president’s presence and I fully understand,” he said when Trump departed.
As media were escorted from the summit’s opening session, Carney could be overheard telling Trump that his comments on the Middle East and global issues had already defined the tone of the event.
Meanwhile, leaders from Germany, France, Italy, the UK, and Japan reportedly hoped to maintain a working relationship with Trump this year to prevent public drama. But behind closed doors, some expressed concern that Trump’s unilateralist views were eroding the G7’s unity.
Trump’s absence from Tuesday’s meetings could derail efforts to formalize joint responses to Ukraine’s ongoing war, to finalize trade strategies, and to present a united front on the Israel-Iran conflict. The U.S. had been expected to finalize a defense package deal with Ukraine—a matter now left in limbo.
The G7 was founded in 1973 to address global economic shocks. Over time, it evolved into a forum for aligning democracies on trade, defense, and development. It briefly became the G8 with Russia’s inclusion, but reverted after Crimea’s annexation. Trump has repeatedly suggested restoring Russia’s membership, a position not shared by other members.
In the final hours before his exit, Trump held short bilateral discussions with German Chancellor Merz, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. He also met briefly with Macron to discuss “tariffs, the Middle East, and Ukraine.”
What remains clear is that Trump’s G7 exit signals a break from traditional U.S. diplomatic engagement. As crises mount globally—from Iran to Ukraine to trade wars—Trump’s America is asserting itself as a solo actor, willing to move ahead with or without global consensus.
Trump Exits G7
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