Editorial: Directionless G7 must find its footing after Trump-dominated Canada summit
In an effort to portray unity at all costs, the Group of Seven (G7) advanced industrial nations has failed to deliver a clear message or offer any effective solutions to halt global instability. Standing frozen at this 50th-anniversary milestone, the group's inability to provide meaningful prescriptions highlights its waning influence.
The G7 summit took place in Canada, focusing primarily on conflicts in Europe and the Middle East and maintaining the free trade system. Yet it concluded without proposing significant new measures to support Ukraine, nor did it advance meaningful dialogue about the crucial need for free trade.
Although a joint statement addressed the Middle East situation, its contents were deeply skewed -- defending Israel, which recently launched attacks on Iran, while harshly criticizing Iran itself.
A failure by the G7 to present viable solutions to crises such as war and economic uncertainty demonstrates that it has not lived up to its responsibilities as a key guardian of the international order.
U.S. President Donald Trump's preferences strongly shaped the agenda and outcome documents, yet Trump himself departed early, rendering hollow any facade of unity that had been orchestrated.
Despite the G7 being originally envisioned as a forum for coordination among Japan, the U.S. and Europe, Trump relentlessly pursued only his "America First" objectives. This behavior must be called out as self-serving.
However, the other nations were afraid of the talks collapsing entirely, and thus chose instead to obediently follow Trump's lead. This, too, was problematic; a vigorous exchange of views would have better clarified key issues.
Japan also shares partial responsibility for this failure. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba presented information on Chinese and North Korean military activities as "Asia's representative." Although he reportedly expressed "concern under international law" regarding Israel's actions, the firm stance he displayed before the summit faded away.
Such behavior risks appearing to endorse Western double standards, effectively giving Israel preferential treatment while emphatically condemning Russia for its aggression against Ukraine.
Historically, Japan has built trust with Palestine and Iran through sustained humanitarian assistance and investment. This reputation, carefully established over many years, could now face damage.
The inward-looking stance demonstrated by the G7 this year has likely caused disappointment among the emerging and developing nations collectively known as the Global South, which are already pressured by major-power politics.
If the G7 continues to tacitly accommodate states such as Russia and Israel, which are attempting to alter the status quo through force, suspicion will only deepen. Moreover, global confidence in the rules-based international order may suffer lasting harm.
The G7 urgently needs to clarify and correct its own approach. Rather than continuously relying on U.S. leadership, Japan, Europe and Canada should instead proactively work toward stabilizing and safeguarding global order.
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