US President Donald Trump has abruptly cut his attendance at the G7 summit in Canada short, citing urgent matters relating to the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel. As tensions mount, the White House announced that Trump would return to Washington to address the situation, prompting him to leave the summit after dinner on Monday night.
Conflict prompts swift action
During his departure, Trump remarked, “I have to be back early for obvious reasons,” indicating the seriousness of the developments in the Middle East. Reports suggest he has directed the National Security Council to convene upon his return. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the “deployment of additional capabilities” to the region to bolster the Pentagon’s defensive stance. However, US officials dismissed any notions that America was preparing to engage in offensive operations alongside Israel against Iran.
The White House emphasized that despite Trump’s early exit, he had a productive day at the summit, successfully negotiating a trade deal with the UK. Nevertheless, the president’s spokesperson acknowledged that he was leaving the gathering of world leaders due to the “what’s going on in the Middle East,” without providing further specifics. This early exit means he will miss crucial meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum scheduled for the final day of the summit.
Escalating attacks and diplomatic implications
Trump’s decision to depart came as hostilities continued between Israel and Iran, with their exchanges of fire extending into a fifth consecutive day. Earlier, Trump took to social media to underscore that Iran had missed the opportunity to accept a deal he proposed during the latest rounds of nuclear negotiations, asserting, “Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON.” He called on the Iranian populace to “immediately evacuate” their capital, Tehran, which is home to approximately 17 million people, without elaborating on his intentions.
“If the United States can achieve a ceasefire, that’s a very good thing,”
French President Emmanuel Macron remarked, reflecting the sentiments of other world leaders who acknowledged Trump’s need to prioritize the situation back home. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also found Trump’s departure “understandable,” despite their planned meeting to discuss tariffs on Tuesday.
The dynamics of the G7 discussions revealed underlying divisions, particularly concerning the conflicts involving Russia, Ukraine, and the ongoing Iran-Israel clash. Trump was reportedly poised to decline a summit statement that called for de-escalation and urged both parties to protect civilians, illustrating the complexities in achieving a unified front on international issues.
In addition to the geopolitical tensions, Trump also managed to finalize a tariff agreement with British Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer, ensuring that the UK was “very well protected” from future import taxes, a statement Trump attributed to his favorable disposition towards the nation.
Earlier activities included a bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, where discussions indicated a potential trade deal could be finalized within 30 days to address ongoing import tax disputes.
This marks the second occasion Trump has left a G7 summit prematurely; the first was in 2018 when he departed to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate, with reports indicating that Israeli military actions have resulted in significant casualties, including at least 224 fatalities in Iran and 24 in Israel, emphasizing the urgent need for diplomatic interventions.