Merz lands in Canada: G7 summit under pressure from crises!

Merz lands in Canada: G7 summit under pressure from crises!

Chancellor Friedrich Merz celebrated his arrival for this year's G7 summit in Calgary, Canada, on Sunday afternoon. Accompanied by his wife Charlotte, he will hold important discussions in the coming days in the Kananaskis River Valley, a picturesque setting in the Rocky Mountains. The summit promises not only an exchange between the leading industrial nations, but also a test for the global order.

Chancellor Merz has already emphasized in advance that he wants the G7 states to be united and hopes to send a signal of unity despite the differences with US President Donald Trump. The G7 countries include Germany, Canada, the USA, France, Great Britain, Italy and Japan, and guests such as Japan, Australia, India, Brazil and South Africa have also announced their participation. Bilateral talks are on the agenda on Monday and Tuesday, and Merz could possibly also plan an exchange with Trump.

Core concerns of the summit

The issues on the table are pressing and diverse. The focus is on the escalation in the Middle East, especially the conflict between Israel and Iran. Merz describes the Iranian nuclear weapons program as an existential threat to Israel and supports Israel's right to self-defense, but also calls for an end to the bombing of civilian targets. In addition, the war in Ukraine will be a central point of discussion, especially in relation to the war against Russia and the associated challenges.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will also be there to ask the G7 countries for support. In addition to the military situation, Zelensky will continue to call for measures to combat sanctions evasion. The pressure on Moscow should be increased so that negotiations on a ceasefire can begin. Merz emphasizes the need to make the G7 states aware of the challenges posed by the sanctions against Russia and the situation in Ukraine.

Economy and customs issues

But it's not just geopolitical issues that are in the foreground. The existing customs conflict with the USA, which flared up again in particular due to the threatened new US tariffs, will also be on the agenda. The EU and US are in negotiations to avoid another conflict, while Trump has already caused several economic tensions that have international repercussions. This situation could also influence the G7 leaders' plans to formulate a comprehensive final declaration, which is being called into question due to internal differences, particularly under Trump.

Of course, topics such as migration, the handling of critical raw materials and new technologies are also discussed. Merz hopes for concrete progress that the G7 countries can implement together in these areas. He sees these talks as an opportunity to strengthen European leadership and advocate for common values.

The G7 Summit, held to mark the 50th anniversary of the G7, offers participating countries the opportunity to represent their own viewpoints while promoting global cooperation. How the negotiations will go and what results will be achieved remains to be seen. Despite all the challenges, the signs point to an intensive and meaningful discussion.

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