The G7 leaders' summit taking place in Kananaskis (Alberta, Canada) will be accompanied by tensions that reflect the fundamental differences between the members.
The first few hours were dominated by discussions on trade measures. The United States confirmed the retention of the existing 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, which came into force in March.
Representatives of the European Union and Canada pointed to significant supply chain disruptions and costs for the industry. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney suggested continuing the dialogue through working groups and bilateral agreements to avoid escalation and allow for the normalisation of trade flows without the complete elimination of tariffs.
On the second day of the summit, the issue of security will take centre stage.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to raise the extension of sanctions against Russia and the continuation of military support, as he has announced in recent days. The UK and France will express increased political and military support, while the United States will demand clearer guarantees of transparency in the use of aid.
The simultaneous crisis in the Middle East gave rise to urgent consultations on the possible consequences of a further escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran. Particular attention was paid to the risk of jeopardising shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key point for global oil supplies.
The G7 leaders discussed scenarios for crisis management, including the need for political coordination and the preparation of alternative supply corridors. Although no formal decision on collective intervention was made, it was agreed to monitor the security dynamics in the region in real time and activate the coordination mechanism within existing security structures if necessary.
G7 priorities
The climate issues opened the debate about the balance between economic growth and environmental commitments.
The representatives of the United States did not oppose common goals but emphasised the need for a more realistic pace of transition in more industrially dependent economies.
EU and Japan leaders insisted that commitments be in line with previously agreed deadlines and that investment in carbon capture and storage technologies and joint renewable energy infrastructure projects continue.
The need for a stronger framework for the protection of critical digital infrastructures
In the area of digital transition, G7 members agreed on the need for a stronger framework for the protection of critical digital infrastructures and the establishment of mechanisms for sharing information on cyber threats.
The challenges of broadband network availability in less developed regions were highlighted, leading to discussions about possible support programmes for national operators through technical and regulatory measures. The establishment of an operational body to oversee the implementation of common digital security standards is also being considered, while the idea of a common fund for digital network resilience is being further explored.
G7 thematic declarations
Following final discussions, it was agreed to publish thematic declarations on trade, security, climate and the digital economy instead of a joint comprehensive declaration.
These will set out the guidelines for the following period but will not be binding. Such a format reflects the complexity of the current international situation and the willingness of members to identify different priorities and avoid communication blockages.
In the area of trade, the European Union and Canada are expected to intensify bilateral negotiations to protect their markets and mitigate the impact of US tariffs.
If these measures are maintained in 2026, it is possible that a response will follow in the form of increased support for domestic industry through more flexible state aid and regulatory regimes, but with no indication of specific countermeasures targeting American digital companies.
The results will be measured by the efficiency and speed of implementation of concrete political and technical solutions
In the area of energy security, a possible escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict could further destabilise the oil markets. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, even if not immediately announced, remains a strategic risk that would lead to disruptions in the supply of Asian countries and an increase in energy prices in the European Union.
In this context, the G7 leaders discussed the need to put in place coordinated political and logistical mechanisms that would allow a rapid response in the event of a supply disruption, including the consideration of alternative transport routes for energy products.
The results of the Kananaskis summit will not be measured by the number of declarations published but by the efficiency and speed of implementation of concrete political and technical solutions on the ground
In terms of climate policy, the European Union has expressed its intention to promote a broader international framework for the use of mechanisms such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) as a tool for the global harmonisation of trade and environmental regulations.
This also raises the question of whether the United States is willing to participate in a common regime for measuring and taxing emissions, which it has so far avoided. If no agreement is reached in this direction, the existing differences in approaches could limit the effectiveness of international climate agreement and leave multilateralism at the declarative level.
In the digital sphere, the G7 confirmed the need to create a common framework for the protection of critical infrastructure and for the exchange of information on cyber threats between members.
A proposal to create an operational body to monitor security standards was supported, while the establishment of a common fund for digital network resilience is still under consideration in the context of industry partnerships and future initiatives.
The coming months will be crucial to assess the actual political will of the G7 members to implement the agreements reached. The results of the Kananaskis summit will not be measured by the number of declarations published but by the efficiency and speed of implementation of concrete political and technical solutions on the ground.
Only consistent enforcement can confirm that the G7 continues to play an important role in shaping global rules and standards.
