KANANASKIS, ALBERTA – The G7 summit in Alberta was thrown into disarray on Monday evening as the U.S. President departed the meeting a day ahead of schedule, with the White House citing the escalating crisis between Israel and Iran as the reason.
The early exit brings a dramatic and uncertain end to a tense summit that was already marked by deep divisions over trade and how to handle Russia.
According to a White House statement, the U.S. President was leaving after dinner with the other heads of state due to the situation in the Middle East. His departure came after he reportedly made an offer for a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
The French President described the departure as “positive” in the context of achieving a ceasefire, but it leaves the final day of the summit in question. It is unclear if any further joint declarations will be made without the leader of the group’s most powerful nation present.
Before his departure, the U.S. President reiterated his controversial call for Russia to be readmitted to the group and announced that a new trade deal with the United Kingdom had been finalized. He and the Canadian Prime Minister also agreed to try to wrap up a new bilateral economic deal within 30 days.
