G7 summit kicks off in Canada amid trade disputes between US, allies

Photo taken on June 8, 2018 shows the 44th G7 summit media center at the Convention Center of Quebec City, Quebec of Canada. (Photo: Xinhua)

The leaders of the G7, the world's most powerful industrialized countries including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Britain, Japan and the United States, meet every year to discuss collaboration on issues like world economy, climate change, security and peace.

Upon his arrival in the Charlevoix city of La Malbaie, Quebec, US President Donald Trump had a brief discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron on issues concerning trade and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), according to media reports.

The official themes for this year's summit include increasing investments and creating jobs to boost growth and advancing gender equality.

However, the confrontation over Washington's unilateral decision to impose metal tariffs on imports from the European Union (EU) and Canada might dominate the summit.

Trump's rejection of the global climate accord and Iran nuclear deal have also divided the G7.

The White House said that Trump will miss the G7 meeting on climate change as he will leave the two-day meeting earlier than originally planned.

At the end of the summit, the leaders hope to sign a joint statement detailing the policy positions and initiatives they agree on.

France and Germany have warned that they will not sign the final agreement unless Washington makes some major policy concession.

Before departing to Canada for this year's G7 summit, Trump told media that Russia should be invited back into the G7 meeting. His claim was unanimously opposed by the European members of the G7, the French president's office said on June 8.

However, the Russian government also appeared to snub Trump's idea.

"Russia is focused on other formats, apart from the G7," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a brief statement reported by the government-controlled Sputnik news agency.

NDO/Xinhua, Reuters