EU: Resolving 'Trade War' a G7 Priority... Undermining Efforts to Boost Defense Spending

The European Union (EU) leadership, attending the Group of Seven (G7) summit, has urged the United States to reconsider its 'trade war,' warning that efforts to increase Europe's defense spending could be undermined.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission (left), and Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, held a joint press conference on the 15th (local time) in Canmore, Alberta, Canada. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, held a press conference on the 15th (local time) in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, stating, "The key issue between the EU and the United States is Europe's defense capabilities," and adding, "We must avoid the emergence of other issues that would undermine our economic capacity to take greater responsibility for our own defense."

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, who joined the press conference, also stated, "All G7 countries are facing aggressive trade practices from non-market economies," and emphasized, "For example, in the case of steel and pharmaceutical products, we must jointly respond to non-market policies and practices, and this will be an important topic at this summit." She also stressed, "Frank discussions among G7 countries are necessary." This is interpreted as a message directed at U.S. President Donald Trump, urging him to stop imposing tariffs on allies and to jointly respond to issues such as overproduction from China.

President von der Leyen also mentioned all the invited countries, including South Korea, saying, "Europe already has strong ties with these countries." Although the EU is not a member of the G7, it has attended all G7 meetings since 1981.