G7 leaders aim to show they’re not intimidated by Trump
Many world leaders see fewer reasons to be cowed by the US President, even as they recognise the risks if he follows through on his threats.
Not afraid. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer raise a glass while watching Edmonton and Florida play an ice hockey match in a bar in Edmonton. AP
President Donald Trump has long bet that he can scare allies into submission, a gamble that is increasingly being tested ahead of the Group of Seven summit beginning on Monday in Canada.
He’s threatened stiff tariffs in the belief that other nations would crumble. He’s mused about taking over Canada and Greenland. He’s suggested he will not honour NATO’s obligations to defend partners under attack. And he’s used Oval Office meetings to try to intimidate the leaders of Ukraine and South Africa.
