Trump says he'd welcome China and Russia in G7, putting US at odds with bloc's stance
US President
Donald Trump on Monday said he would welcome the inclusion of China and
Russia in the
G7 , putting him directly at odds with the bloc's position on the two countries just as the Group of Seven summit got under way in
Canada
Germany ,
Italy ,
The leaders from seven major advanced economies –
Britain , Canada,
France
Japan and the US, along with the
European Union – are convening in Kananaskis, Alberta, in the Canadian Rockies until Tuesday. Speaking alongside Canadian Prime Minister
Mark Carney , Trump said kicking Russia out of the former G8 was a mistake.
Russia was frozen out of the grouping in 2014 over Moscow's occupation and annexation of
Ukraine 's Crimea region.
Nato also moved against the Kremlin at the time, suspending 'all practical civilian and military cooperation' with Russia for the same reasons.
The G7 began taking a more forceful stance against China in 2021 during the first year of
Joe Biden 's presidency, calling out Beijing on
human rights and
trade issues . Since then, concerns about the country's practices have been a fixture of the annual communiqués.
G7 communiqués since Russia launched a
full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 took aim at both countries, including accusations that some entities in China were supporting the Kremlin's war effort, which Trump has tried to halt through diplomatic efforts that have yet to produce any breakthroughs.
(From left) White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pete Hoekstra, US ambassador to Canada, at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, on Monday. Photo: AP
'This was a big mistake,' Trump said of the decision to leave Russia out of the G7.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
35 minutes ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's national security arrests ‘make up 0.2% of wider annual police tally'
The average number of people apprehended in Hong Kong annually over national security-related offences only made up 0.2 per cent of police arrests each year, the city's leader has said, arguing that the relevant legislation has achieved its aim of targeting a small minority. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday that the force had made 332 arrests in connection with such offences since Beijing's promulgation of the national security law in 2020. At a media briefing before his weekly Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, he noted that the figure amounted to 66 arrests a year, just 0.2 per cent of police's annual average of about 30,000 arrests for all criminal offences. 'It's really a small portion. When we promulgated the Hong Kong national security law, we made it very clear that the law is aimed at only a small portion of people who endanger national security. This figure reinforces that clear message.' Police last year made 36,369 arrests for various criminal offences, a 6.3 per cent increase from the 34,135 recorded in 2023. The Beijing-imposed national security law, which criminalises secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, will have been in force for five years by the end of this month.
Asia Times
an hour ago
- Asia Times
Vietnam takes a risk and a chance on BRICS
On June 13, 2025, BRICS officially welcomed Vietnam as 'a partner country', marking a significant milestone in Hanoi's foreign policy. This decision reflects a carefully planned strategy, developed over years, to diversify Vietnam's international relations and strengthen its position in a multipolar world. By aligning with BRICS – a bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, and recently expanded to include other emerging economies –Vietnam aims to reduce its dependence on specific partners while navigating complex global dynamics. Vietnam's relationship with the United States, elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership in September 2023, has faced challenges since the re-election of President Donald Trump. The Trump administration has imposed stringent tariff barriers and scrutinized Vietnam's trade practices, particularly its role as a potential conduit for Chinese goods entering the US market. Hanoi, acutely aware of these tensions, seeks to balance its economic ties with the US by deepening engagement with other global players. Joining BRICS is a strategic step in this direction, aligning Vietnam with a bloc that collectively represents over 40% of the world's population and a significant share of global GDP. Vietnam's accession to BRICS, even as a partner rather than a full member, carries both opportunities and risks. On one hand, it enhances Hanoi's access to economic resources, particularly from China, a dominant BRICS member. Recent agreements with Beijing, including financing for a high-speed railway project connecting Vietnam and China and other infrastructure initiatives, underscore Vietnam's reliance on Chinese loans and technical expertise. These projects are critical for modernizing Vietnam's economy, which remains heavily dependent on foreign investment to sustain growth. BRICS membership also offers Vietnam a platform to advocate for a more equitable global economic order, aligning with the bloc's calls for reforming institutions like the United Nations and the World Bank. However, this move risks straining relations with the US under the Trump administration, which targets China's economic influence. The US has expressed concerns that Vietnam serves as a transit hub for Chinese goods relabeled to evade US tariffs. If Hanoi fails to address these concerns, it could face punitive sanctions, disrupting its export-driven economy, which relies heavily on the US market. Such measures could also destabilize Vietnam's domestic political landscape, as economic downturns often fuel public discontent. To mitigate this, Vietnam has intensified efforts to enhance transparency in trade practices. Recent nationwide crackdowns in Vietnam by the economic police and the Market Management forces on goods lacking clear origins or invoices demonstrate Hanoi's commitment to aligning with international trade standards. Vietnam has also made diplomatic gestures to maintain cordial ties with the US, such as facilitating projects by the Trump Organization. While these moves signal Hanoi's desire to avoid antagonizing Washington, they are unlikely to resolve the core issue of Vietnam's trade practices. The Trump administration's focus on 'America First' policies leaves little room for compromise, placing Vietnam in an unstable position. Moreover, BRICS's push for global institutional reform highlights Vietnam's own domestic challenges. The country has faced international criticism over issues like transparency, institutional accountability and restrictions on freedom of speech. Without substantial internal reforms, Vietnam's participation in BRICS risks being perceived as symbolic rather than substantive. For instance, Hanoi's anti-corruption campaign, while notable, has yet to fully address systemic governance issues that could undermine its credibility within a bloc advocating for global equity. Vietnam's status as a partner country, rather than a full BRICS member, reflects a cautious foreign policy, aligning with its 'bamboo diplomacy.' This half-step allows Hanoi to engage with the bloc without fully committing to its geopolitical agenda, which is heavily influenced by China and Russia. However, this approach may limit Vietnam's ability to shape BRICS's vision for a new global economic order. Amid post-Covid economic recovery, Vietnam faces pressure to attract foreign capital from both China and the US while preserving its strategic autonomy. Joining a China-Russia-led alliance raises questions about Hanoi's ability to maintain its foreign policy of 'independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralization of relations', especially given ongoing disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea, where China's assertive claims challenge Vietnam's maritime rights. Vietnam's entry into BRICS as a partner country offers opportunities to diversify its economic and diplomatic ties but also poses critical challenges. Hanoi must navigate US-China tensions, address domestic governance issues, and clarify its trade practices to fully capitalize on BRICS membership. Without internal reforms and strategic foresight, Vietnam risks being caught in a geopolitical tug-of-war, undermining its aspirations for independence and influence in a rapidly changing global order.
RTHK
2 hours ago
- RTHK
G7 says Iran is 'main source of instability in region'
G7 says Iran is 'main source of instability in region' The G7 leaders called for a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza. Photo: Reuters The Group of Seven nations have expressed support for Israel and labeled its rival Iran as a source of instability in the Middle East, with the G7 leaders urging broader de-escalation of hostilities in the region. The air war between Iran and Israel – which began on Friday when Israel attacked Iran with air strikes – has raised alarm in a region that had already been on edge since the start of Israel's military assault on Gaza in October 2023. "We affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself," G7 leaders said in a statement issued late on Monday. "We reiterate our support for the security of Israel. "Iran is the principal source of regional instability and terror." The G7 leaders went on to say it was "clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon". Israel attacked Iran on Friday in what it called a preemptive strike to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Since then the two Middle Eastern rivals have exchanged blows, with Iranian officials reporting over 220 deaths, mostly civilians, while Israel said 24 civilians were killed. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and has said it has the right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including enrichment, as a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Israel, which is not a party to the NPT, is the only country in the Middle East widely believed to have nuclear weapons. Israel does not deny or confirm that. "We urge that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza," the G7 statement said, adding the nations were also ready to coordinate on safeguarding stability in energy markets. (Reuters)
