How might Donald Trump's unpredictability affect G7 meeting in Kananaskis? Experts weigh in

Calgary Herald

28-05-2025

U.S. President Donald Trump's unpredictable and often erratic nature will bring an uncertainty to next month's G7 meeting in Kananaskis, which will require special diplomacy to accommodate, says expert observers.
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But most, like the director of the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy are confident Trump's fellow leaders will know how to handle the U.S. president's personality traits, though it likely won't be easy.
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'His behaviour has certainly created challenges for Canada and around the world,' said Martha Hall Findlay after helping moderate a panel discussion on the G7 among European diplomats last week.
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She said the structure of those meetings is designed to overcome such uncertainties.
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'The hope is having these discussions among a small group of people will actually be fruitful — (Trump) clearly loves the spotlight . . . at Kananaskis, the hope is without that spotlight and having those intimate conversations could actually be really helpful in moving us forward rather than just reacting to whatever happens next,' said Hall Findlay.
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A sense of agreement created by the communique from the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' meeting in Banff last week on economic issues and the war in Ukraine should provide some optimism that any unpredictability can be surmounted, she said.
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'You found a strong line of support (in Banff) on Ukraine,' said Matthias Luttenberg, who was part of the panel discussion in Calgary.
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'I'm confident we'll have these meetings in good spirit no matter who's at the table. At the end of the day we share, in many regards, the same values and objectives.'
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But U of C economist Trevor Tombe said it's possible Trump's mercurial, combative nature could prove a stumbling block.
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'Just having these meetings run smoothly would be a success. If it doesn't result in some kind of falling-out, that alone will help ease the uncertainty,' he said.
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'Hopefully there'd be a normal meeting where Trump doesn't do anything strange like not participating in the (final) communique or leaving early. The very fact they could function is a signal stronger than uncertainty.'