Donald Trump, the President of the United States, will address business leaders at the upcoming G7 summit, scheduled to take place in the Canadian Rockies. Joining him will be Australia’s Ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd. This important convening promises to inspire bold conversations about the urgency for new global economic cooperation. It is likely Trump will emphasize the need for “free and fair trade.”
The multi-day G7 summit is set to start on Monday. It is a landmark occasion for world leaders, providing an opportunity to showcase global frontrunners at a time when geopolitics complicate trade dependencies and geopolitical statements. Trump’s America-first agenda has stirred both enthusiasm and concern across various nations, leading to increased scrutiny of his administration’s policies.
Among the many countries Trump has had a rocky tenure with, Australia stands out. President Biden and his close friend and comrade in climate, Australian PM Anthony Albanese, have reportedly had two phone calls since Trump’s re-election. So far, they have not met face-to-face. This peculiar dynamic underscores the changing diplomatic reality between the two countries.
The Impact of Trump’s Agenda
Trump’s recent history of participating in G7 summits has been anything but diplomatic. During a past meeting held on Canadian soil, he notably refused to sign the final leaders’ statement, citing discontent with the discussions. His comments regarding then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were perhaps the most eye-opening. He referred to Trudeau as “very deceitful and very weak.” Comments like these flush with optimism into international relations are a reflection of how difficult things have been during his administration.
Most recently, Trump had a direct conversation with Albanese about increasing Australia’s defense budget. Perhaps more significantly, he hinted at restoring the AUKUS pact to its original aim of deepening defense collaboration between Australia, the UK and the US. These talks are characteristic of a larger pattern of shoring up military alliances in light of global instability.
“This sends a signal to the world — and it’s a powerful symbol of Australia and the United States cooperating to seize and shape a new era of prosperity,” – Anthony Albanese
Engagement with Global Leaders
During the G7 summit, Trump is expected to meet with several prominent leaders, including Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum. A bipartisan, members-only meeting with Japan’s Shigeru Ishiba is a sure bet to include discussion of Japan-U.S. trade relations and regional security.
Albanese’s comments highlight just how important these meetings are. He has stated, “Our task is to build on this strength — and diversify beyond it.” This optics aligns with Australia’s broader vision of deepening its economic diplomacy, enhancing its international connections to the complex web of global trade.
Even as Trump plans his state visit to Canada, debates over his administration’s policies still have the power of triggering outrage. Beyond offering a stage for discussion of urgent economic challenges facing the world, the summit aims to cultivate friendships between prevailing member countries.
Looking Ahead
The next G7 summit is about much more than the gathering of a few dozen world leaders. It reinforces the prevailing narrative around trade, bad trade practices, and the need for international cooperation. Now, with Trump’s America-first stance at the forefront, world leaders have to navigate the tension between looking out for their own countries and working together.
Right away, next week, Trump will be landing in the Canadian Rockies. He carries with him a tremendous weight of expectations from his supporters and more importantly his critics. The implications of these consequential deliberations will likely determine the posture of global trade for years to come.
