As the G7 summit enters its first full day of discussions, French President Emmanuel Macron faces the challenge of keeping his US counterpart Donald Trump engaged as leaders weigh pressure on Russia, Middle East diplomacy and renewed trade tensions with Washington.
G7 leaders have turned their attention to Ukraine, Iran and trade tensions on Tuesday as President Volodymyr Zelensky joined the summit in Evian-les-Bains, where France is trying to keep US President Donald Trump engaged on Russia while managing his unpredictable approach to allies. The Group of Seven summit, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the lakeside spa town, has been shaped by Trump’s tentative deal to end the US war against Iran, questions over reopening the Strait of Hormuz and a reported threat to impose a 100-percent tariff on French wine and champagne. Macron faces a delicate balancing act in hosting the US leader. Trump is reportedly threatening to slap the tariff on French wine and champagne unless Paris removes a digital services tax. Trump arrived in Evian-les-Bains on Monday after celebrating his 80th birthday by watching MMA cage fighting at the White House the previous night. He is due to remain in France until Wednesday, when he is expected to dine with Macron at the Palace of Versailles outside Paris after the G7 ends.
