In light of the US protectionist move in the steel and aluminium sectors and of the USA's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, world trade and relations with Iran will be two hot potatoes on the agenda of the G7 countries' summit (Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, UK and USA) being chaired by Canada in Charlevoix, Canada on 8 and 9 June.
Canada has put inclusive growth, gender equality and ocean preservation at the centre of this summit, where the EU – represented by European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker – will defend the rules-based multilateral order and its organisations as the best approach for global governance.
With regard to economic issues, the G7 leaders will discuss global perspectives, inclusive growth, the fight against fraud and tax evasion, trade and investment, WTO reform, global industrial overcapacity and the restrictive trade measures taken unilaterally by the USA in the steel and aluminium sectors (which are also feared in the automobile sector - see EUROPE 12031, 12026) during their first two working sessions on Friday.
The themes of innovation and artificial intelligence will also be addressed. The G7 leaders are expected to approve a common vision for the future of artificial intelligence.
The theme of gender equality and women's empowerment will be at the centre of the fourth working session on Saturday morning. The G7 leaders are expected to underline the value of education for girls and women, as well as their role in the labour market. The G7 is expected to adopt a declaration on the importance of education for women in developing countries. In addition, the G7 countries are expected to commit against sexual and sexist violence, and online harassment and abuse.
With regard to foreign and security policy, which will be at the centre of the third working session on Friday afternoon, the G7 leaders will focus on the most urgent challenges: relations with Russia, denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, the Iran nuclear deal and the war in Syria.
With regard to the environment and climate, the G7 leaders will focus on climate change, clean energy and oceans. During a fifth working session, on Saturday, they will discuss concrete action on awareness-raising to preserve oceans and to fight against the threat of plastic waste. A blueprint for healthy oceans, including a G7 charter to fight against ocean plastic, is expected to be adopted.
The G7 summit is also expected to address the theme of energy security. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)