🌍 Iran-Israel Tensions and Trump’s Unpredictability to Overshadow Canada’s G7 Agenda
Kananaskis, Alberta – June 14, 2025
The 2025 G7 Summit in Canada, initially intended to spotlight Prime Minister Mark Carney’s global leadership, is now set to be consumed by the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel and growing concerns over U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump.
As leaders of the G7 nations — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States — convene from June 15–17, experts warn that the summit’s original focus will shift due to a massive Israeli military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, followed by retaliatory attacks from Tehran.
🔥 Crisis Overshadows Leadership Goals
Mark Carney, who holds the rotating G7 presidency, had planned to use the summit to promote Canada’s domestic and global agenda: economic growth, energy security, climate resilience, and international peace. However, analysts say that his efforts to lead a “consequential” summit could be overwhelmed by Trump’s unpredictable diplomacy and the Iran-Israel conflict.
“Carney had hoped to avoid another 2018 moment,” said Julia Kulik of the G7 Research Group, referencing the last time Trump attended a Canadian-hosted summit and stormed out, refusing to support the joint communique.
This year, no communique is expected due to deep divisions. Instead, Carney will issue a “chair’s summary”, reflecting on the summit’s key discussions.
💣 Iran-Israel Conflict Tops Agenda
Robert Rogowsky, a professor at the Middlebury Institute, said the Middle East crisis will dominate talks:
“It creates the possibility of all-out war. G7 leaders must now decide how to align themselves amid fast-shifting alliances.”
Though Trump claims the U.S. was not involved in the Israeli strike, he admitted to being informed beforehand — raising questions among allies about America’s actual role and intentions.
🇺🇸 Trump: The Uncontrollable Variable
Trump’s presence has become a wildcard. His past G7 behavior — dismissive of alliances, anti-globalist rhetoric, and erratic social media outbursts — has alarmed many of the other G7 members.
“Trump is a coin flip,” Rogowsky remarked. “If he wants to build bridges, things could go smoothly. But if it’s about performance or dominance, anything can happen.”
Adding fuel to the fire, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — previously berated by Trump and VP JD Vance for “lacking gratitude” — is also attending, promising more high-stakes drama.
🌐 Carney’s Diplomatic Balancing Act
Despite the turbulence, Carney is positioning himself as a bridge builder. His invitation to India’s PM Narendra Modi — despite recent diplomatic tensions — is seen as a strategic effort to prioritize progress over past disputes.
“Carney knows Canada must engage globally, even with countries it disagrees with,” said Vina Nadjibulla of the Asia Pacific Foundation. “He’s stepping into a globalist role Canada hasn’t owned in a long time.”
Carney’s proposed summit agenda includes:
- Strengthening peace and security
- Tackling foreign interference
- Boosting investment through public-private partnerships
- Improving wildfire response and energy resilience
