Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made the decision to cut short a press session with President Donald Trump shortly before the commencement of the G7 summit, Fox News reported.
The interruption came as Trump addressed pressing global issues, including the exclusion of Russia from the G8, and ongoing immigration and international conflict concerns.
During the session, Trump extensively discussed Russia's removal from what was formerly the G8, following the 2014 annexation of Crimea. He argued that reinstating Russia was essential to avoiding international conflicts. "That was a mistake," he said, implying that their removal exacerbated tensions.
The discussion also shifted to U.S. domestic policy. Trump criticized his successor, President Joe Biden, for purportedly permitting a significant number of undocumented immigrants into the country. He stated, "Biden allowed 21 million people to come into our country," expressing disapproval of the current immigration strategy.
The topic of U.S. immigration policies remained a point of contention during the press conference, reflecting Trump's ongoing stance on border security and migration control.
On the issue of geopolitical affairs, Trump reflected on what he perceived as missed opportunities with Russia and the impact of past decisions. "It was a mistake ... it makes life more complicated," he remarked on the absence of Russian leadership in deliberations.
Attention turned to the Middle East, as Trump outlined Iran's potential readiness to ease tensions with Israel. However, he emphasized the necessity of ensuring a diplomatic resolution, stating, "They'd like to talk, but they should have done that before."
Despite acknowledging the possibility of dialogue, Trump warned that both parties must reach a suitable agreement. He refrained from commenting on the prospect of U.S. military involvement in the conflict when pressed further.
Continuing his reflections on international relations, Trump also mentioned with a sense of pride that Russian President Vladimir Putin communicated with him above others, hinting at a perceived personal rapport.
However, as these discussions unfolded, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, serving as G7 chair, stepped in to conclude the press session. He expressed the need to begin the summit as planned, stating, "We have a few more minutes with the president and his team."
Carney's intervention underscored the necessity of adhering to time constraints ahead of the international gathering. The summit was set to address a roster of pressing issues.
After Carney's statement, the press session was promptly ended, paving the way for the official commencement of the G7 summit. The conference aimed to tackle pressing geopolitical and economic challenges.
Ending with economic matters, Trump reiterated his longstanding support for tariffs. He cited forthcoming negotiations with Canada as a focal point, reaffirming his commitment to this approach.
As the G7 summit prepared to address its extensive agenda, Trump's remarks offered insight into his perspectives on trade and international diplomacy. His comments also set a tone for the discussions to follow.
A highlight of the remarks included Trump's reflection on the G8's transformation into the G7 and his belief that certain historical decisions, such as omitting Russia, had lasting implications. His stance on tariffs remained a key component of his economic vision.
