Japan PM defends global trade order at G7 amid Trump tariff tensions

Kyodo News

4 hours ago

By Takuya Karube, KYODO NEWS - 4 hours ago - 17:33 | All, World
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Monday defended the global economic order that has been in place for decades, promoting the lowering of cross-border trade barriers, at a Group of Seven summit in Canada, as many countries reel from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff war and unilateralism.
Trump's transactional approach to diplomacy and his confrontational trade actions have tested the 50-year-old group's ability to tackle global challenges as the leaders of the major industrial democracies gather in a Canadian mountain resort.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, chair of the summit, warned that the world is "more divided and dangerous," underscoring the importance of "cooperation" and "economic prosperity" for it to shape a better future.
"We might not agree on absolutely every issue, but where we will cooperate, we will make an enormous difference for our citizens and for the world, and bring the next era of prosperity," he said.
But Trump indicated he is not on the same page as his counterparts in the G7, which groups Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, as well as the European Union.
Trump repeated his complaint about the expulsion of Russia from the group, a decision made in 2014 after Moscow occupied and annexed the autonomous Ukrainian region of Crimea, calling the exclusion a "very big mistake."
While speaking alongside Carney before their bilateral meeting, Trump went beyond even the notion of a revived Group of Eight, responding to a reporter's hypothetical question about China's inclusion by saying, "It's not a bad idea."
The annual gathering was also overshadowed by the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran, which prompted Trump to leave early from the venue in the resort of Kananaskis near Calgary and travel back to Washington.
"I have to be back as soon as I can," Trump told reporters.
Israel last week launched unprecedented strikes on Iran that killed top military commanders and damaged nuclear sites.
As Israel and Iran continue to exchange missile attacks, the G7 leaders collectively called for de-escalation in the Middle East, while voicing support for Israel's security and its right to defend itself.
In a statement released late Monday, they said Iran is a "principal source of regional instability and terror," and it can "never" have a nuclear weapon.
Earlier, Trump also posted a similar message on his social media platform and ended it ominously, saying, "Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran."
On the first day of their two-day discussions, the leaders focused on the world economy and economic security, including strengthening supply chains for critical minerals, as well as regional affairs.
Ishiba stressed the need for the G7 to unite and lead the international community in building a "free, fair and rules-based economic order," according to the Japanese government.
He also said it is essential to maintain and reinforce the multilateral free trade regime with the World Trade Organization at its core.
During a session on regional affairs, the leaders "frankly" discussed the situations in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific region, as well as Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the government said.
Among other issues, it said they shared concern about China's underpinning of Russia's ability to continue its war with Ukraine.
G7 is not expected to issue a detailed joint statement at the end of the summit, marking a departure from the group's usual practice, G7 officials have said.
Reflecting on the difficulty of reaching a consensus on major global issues following the return of Trump and his "America First" agenda, the G7 leaders plan to release brief "action-oriented" statements instead.
Since beginning his second, nonconsecutive term in January, Trump has upended the global economic order by imposing hefty tariffs on imports from almost all countries.
The G7 summit is the first major multilateral event attended by Trump during his second term. Carney, Ishiba, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are all attending for the first time since taking office.
Carney has invited some leaders from outside the group, including Australia, India, South Korea and Ukraine, who will join their G7 counterparts on the second day of discussions.
On Tuesday, there will be a session dedicated to Ukraine, with its President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expected to call for a united front to halt Russia's war against his country.
Related coverage:
Japan, U.S. still far from tariff deal after Ishiba-Trump summit
China's nuclear arsenal hits 600 warheads, up 100 from year before
U.S., China hold high-level trade talks with rare earths in focus