1. Spotlight on Ukraine & Russia
- G7 nations reaffirmed unwavering support for Ukraine, including a plan to tap interest from frozen Russian assets to fund military and reconstruction efforts—up to about $50 billion.
- Canada pledged C$2 billion in military aid, yet an official U.S.–Ukraine defense agreement wasn’t secured, partly due to President Trump’s early exit.
- Trump’s early departure strained unity: six of seven G7 nations backed a “strong language” against Russia, while the U.S. abstained.
2. Big on Tech, Minerals & AI
- Leaders signed six joint statements—addressing critical minerals, AI, quantum computing, wildfires, migrant smuggling, and transnational repression—signaling a shared agenda on emerging global risks.
- A unified stance emerged on curbing unfair trade practices by China and calling for respect for human rights in Xinjiang.
3. Trade Talks: Stalled & Strategic
- No sweeping trade breakthrough—apart from a limited deal lowering U.K. auto and aerospace tariffs. Trump favored individual leverage over multilateral compromise.
4. Middle East Turmoil & North American Diplomacy
- With escalating tension between Israel and Iran, Trump departed early to Washington, emphasizing a hard line on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
- Other G7 leaders convened privately—especially Germany, the U.K., France, and Italy—seeking coordinated de-escalation.
5. India Speaks Up
- Prime Minister Modi attended as an outreach guest, strongly condemning the Pahalgam terror attack—calling it “an attack on all humanity”—and urged G7 to reject double standards on terrorism, implicitly criticizing Pakistan.
- In a lighter moment, Italy’s PM Meloni joked to Modi, “You are the best. I am trying to be as you”—a viral clip underscoring their growing diplomatic rapport.
- Modi publicly pushed back against Trump’s claim of U.S. mediation between India and Pakistan, stating that ceasefire efforts were strictly bilateral.
📝 Policy Highlights & Long-Term Agreements
| Agenda | Key Commitments |
|---|---|
| Climate & Biodiversity | Pledged to conserve ≥30% of land/sea by 2030, phase out unabated coal power, boost climate finance, and achieve net-zero by 2050. |
| Global Tax Reform | Agreed on a minimum 15% corporate tax on multinationals to prevent profit shifting . |
| Infrastructure & Supply Chains | Continued support for PGII (“Build Back Better for the World”), and strengthened critical minerals strategy . |
| Climate Risk Shield | Expanded support for food security and resilience, with Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) and climate risk shields for vulnerable nations . |
| Human Rights & Global Order | Condemned forced labor, called for WTO reform, migration regulation, and ethical AI governance. Abortion rights fell by the wayside as Italy blocked inclusion . |
Taking Stock: A Mixed Bag
- ✅ Pros: Strong consensus on climate, taxation, infrastructure, AI governance, and Ukraine’s long-term stability. Strategic signals on China’s market practices and commitment to biodiversity stand out.
- ⚠️ Cons: Trump’s early exit weakened cohesion—leaving trade talks unresolved, Middle East strategy fragmented, and Ukraine support uneven.
- 🌐 Diplomatic Dynamics: India made key interventions, reinforcing its global role. The rapport between leaders like Modi and Meloni hints at shifting alliances and soft power diplomacy.
Conclusion: More Steps Than Leaps
The 2025 G7 in Kananaskis mixed ambition with fragmentation. On long-term policy—climate, tech, taxation—it hit all the right notes. Yet when geopolitical crises and bilateral interests took over, unity splintered.
As the G7 looks ahead, its ability to stay cohesive will be tested by evolving global threats, rising populism, and competing visions of international order. Whether Kananaskis proves a turning point or a recurring pattern remains to be seen—but one thing’s clear: shared challenges demand shared leadership.