G7 leaders brace for clash with Trump on trade, climate

New York [U.S.]: U.S. President Donald Trump and his counterparts from six of the world’s most powerful countries have gathered for a two-day summit — the G-7 — to discuss the globe’s most pressing problems in the medieval Sicilian coastal town of Taormina, Italy.

The heads of state of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union are expected to have tough talks on issues ranging from global economic issues, climate change, the Syrian civil war, Russian aggression, fight against ISIS and the recent Manchester attack.

Newly elected leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron, President Trump and veterans like German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Japanese Prime minister Shinzo Abe will discuss ways to change the shape of global events.

Russia, for a third straight year, will not be allowed to be part of the summit, previously known as the G-8.

But discussions on Russia will persist for having annexed Crimea and subsequent ongoing support for separatist rebels in Eastern Ukraine. Russian interference in France and United States elections has been condemned by other countries. G-7 counties will decide about the Russia’s aggressive actions around the world.

ISIS

U.S. President Trump in Saudi Arabia had sought the unity of Muslim countries in the region to redouble their efforts to fight against ISIS. IN G-7 summit, Trump is likely to emphasize on curbing the financing part of (ISIS) Islamic terrorism.

Climate Agreement

President Trump had pledged during the election campaign to pull out the United States from the landmark Paris Climate Agreement that compels countries around the world to reduce their carbon emissions to combat climate change. And now, Trump is mulling whether he will make good on that pledge.

France’s Macron is already pressurizing Trump on the issue during their first meeting on Thursday amidst the NATO summit in Brussels. And Trump is likely to face more pressure to stay in the climate agreement, bolstering the arguments Trump’s Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner — both senior advisers — have leveled to urge him to stay in the deal.

Economic issues

The global economy is always a core topic of the G-7 summit, but Trump’s presidency and the United Kingdom’s referendum vote to leave the European Union have already moved markets and have brought new uncertainty.

Trump has vowed to renegotiate international trade agreements, railing against free trade deals that he have said are lopsided against the United States. Other leaders will look to ensure their economies won’t suffer as a result of Trump’s new approach, CNN reported.

Syria

Syrian civil war will be a point of discussion and the recent U.S.’ involvement in the conflict by launching cruise missiles attacks against the Bashar al-Assad regime. But Russia and Iran are supporting Assad regime .The G-7 will discuss ways to resolve the conflict.(ANI)