Asahi: "First Time Since 2014"
Only Individual Documents on Minerals, AI, and Quantum Technology
The Asahi Shimbun and Mainichi Shimbun reported on June 10, citing Japanese government officials, that the Group of Seven (G7) is coordinating not to issue a joint statement at the upcoming summit to be held in Alberta, Canada, from June 15 to 17.
According to the reports, the G7 has reportedly not even begun preparations for issuing a joint statement. The Asahi noted that since Russia was expelled and the G7 system was restored in 2014 following the forced annexation of Crimea, there has not been a single year without a summit statement.
The G7 is a consultative body formed by the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, and Canada. At one point, with Russia included, it functioned as the G8. However, after Russia was expelled in 2014 due to the forced annexation of Crimea, the G7 format became established.
Japanese media pointed out that the main reason for postponing the issuance of a joint statement at this summit is the difference in perspectives between President Donald Trump of the United States and the other member countries.
The Mainichi Shimbun explained that there is an intention to avoid exposing the rift between the United States and other countries over issues such as the Trump administration's tariff measures and responses to the war in Ukraine. The newspaper reported, "President Trump has traditionally kept a distance from multilateral cooperation frameworks," and added, "Although the issuance of a summit statement was not postponed during his first term, there were also instances where he clashed with other leaders over language related to free trade."
At this summit, G7 leaders plan to discuss strengthening critical mineral supply chains and economic growth utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technology, and to release documents outlining achievements in each area. According to sources quoted by the Asahi Shimbun, "These are all areas in which President Trump has shown a high level of interest."
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