Ontario (TDI): Foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) countries gathered in Canada to coordinate responses to the Ukraine war, peace in Middle East, and balancing trade friction with Washington.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand hosted the gathering in Ontario’s Niagara region, welcoming her G7 counterparts and other invitees as tension with the US grew over tariffs, defense spending, and Middle East policy.
Anand said “Every relationship has its challenges,” stressing the need to tackle trade and geopolitical matters together. The agenda included a renewed commitment to military and humanitarian support for Ukraine, talks on Indo-Pacific security, and the review of supply-chain resilience for critical minerals.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stood beside Anand and other ministers but said that priority lies in “putting the safety and security of Americans first,” a statement that drew concern from allies.
Canada’s role as host this year has been overshadowed by recent US tariff threats, while some G7 members fear economic disputes could undercut collective action on Ukraine and other crises.
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Canada’s presidency of the G7 this year has unfolded amid tense relations with Washington, largely over President Trump’s new tariffs on Canadian goods. Across the G7, leaders are facing disagreements over Trump’s trade policies and his changing approach to international conflicts.
Defense spending has emerged as a central fault line. Except for Japan, all G7 members belong to NATO, where Trump has pressed allies to boost their defense budgets to 5% of GDP.
While a few have complied, others remain hesitant, with Canada and Italy still far from the target. Foreign Minister Anita Anand said Ottawa aims to meet the 5% goal by 2035.
Divisions have also surfaced over the Israel–Hamas war, as Britain, France, and Canada recently recognized the Palestinian state despite the ongoing conflict. In Ukraine, most G7 members continue to take a firmer stance on Moscow than Washington does.
The ministers are expected to issue a joint communiqué by the end of the meeting, signaling concerted action. They will also meet Ukraine’s foreign minister early in the week for additional coordination.
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