TORONTO (AP) — Top diplomats from around the world Group of Seven Advanced Democracies The population is concentrating in southern Ontario as tensions rise between the United States and traditional allies such as Canada over defense spending, trade and uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s policies. Ceasefire plan in Gaza and efforts to end war between russia and ukraine.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Anita Anand In an interview with The Associated Press, as he prepares to welcome the US secretary of state, he said despite trade pressures, “the relationship has to continue across the issues.” marco rubio Participants also came from the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Japan on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Mr Anand also invited the foreign ministers of Australia, Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, South Korea, South Africa and Ukraine.
She said: “We have 15 foreign ministers coming to the Great White North from all over the world and, interestingly, during our bank holiday week. first heavy snow”
“Canada’s work continues to lead the way multilaterally in a time of great movement toward protectionism and unilateralism,” Anand said. “And in times of economic and geopolitical instability.”
canadian G7 hosting mission This year had the following characteristics: strained relationship The country is at loggerheads with its North American neighbors, primarily over President Trump’s imposition of tariffs on imports from Canada. But the entire alliance faces major turmoil over the Republican president’s demands for trade and various proposals to stop global conflict.
One of the main points of contention is defense spending. All G7 countries except Japan are NATO members, and President Trump requires alliance partners to spend 5% of their annual gross domestic product on defense. Many countries agree, but some do not. Of the G7 NATO members, Canada and Italy are furthest from that goal.
There was also disagreement within the G7 over the Israeli-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, with Britain, Canada and France announcing they would recognize a Palestinian state even without a resolution to the conflict. In the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war, most G7 countries have taken a tougher stance toward Russia than President Trump.
The two-day talks in Niagara-on-the-Lake, on Lake Ontario near the U.S. border, come after President Trump ended trade negotiations with Canada, citing failures by the Ontario government. anti-tariff ads In America it upset him. A wellspring of outrage then arose over President Trump’s assertion that Canada should: 51st state of the United States.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney apologized for the advertisement And last week, he said he was ready to resume trade negotiations as soon as the U.S. side was ready.
“The work we do in the G7 is to find areas where we can cooperate multilaterally,” Anand said. “This dialogue will continue regardless of other efforts we are making on the trade front.”
Mr. Anand said he would meet with Mr. Rubio, but noted that another minister leads U.S. trade issues. The US president has prioritized addressing complaints about other countries’ trade policies over working with G7 allies.
“There are many touchpoints in any complex relationship,” Anand says. “We continue to have work to do on the trade file. Just as there is work to be done on a number of touchpoints outside of the trade file, Secretary Rubio and I come into the picture because we have to continue our relationship across a variety of issues.”
Mr. Anand said that at a breakfast meeting in Washington last month, Mr. Rubio asked her to play a role in bringing countries to the table to secure President Trump’s policies. Gaza ceasefire plan It has a long life.
Mr. Rubio is likely to meet with other G7 countries and at least one invited non-G7 foreign minister, and will focus on efforts to stop fighting in Ukraine and Gaza, maritime security, Haiti, Sudan, supply chain resilience and critical minerals, U.S. officials said.
Canada’s priorities include ending the war in Ukraine, Arctic security and Haitian security. A working lunch will be held on the energy and critical minerals needed for everything from smartphones to fighter jets. Canada has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Department of Defense is keenly investing in for national security.
Daniel Behrand, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal, said Mr. Anand will likely try to use the meeting to improve his working relationship with Mr. Rubio.
“But a key element shaping that relationship is beyond her control: President Trump’s capricious actions,” Behrand said.
“Expectations are pretty low, but avoiding drama and fostering basic common ground on issues like Ukraine and Russia will be helpful,” Behrand said.
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