G7 leaders may skip joint declaration, 1st since 2014

A closure sign on a walking trail near the site of the G7 Leaders meeting that takes place June 15-17, is pictured in Kananaskis, Alberta, June 2, 2025.

The Group of Seven nations are likely to skip a joint statement at the end of an upcoming three-day summit in Canada, a Japanese government source said Tuesday, which would mark the first time since 2014 for the meeting to conclude without a consensus document.

The move is apparently aimed at veiling internal divisions in the G7, known for its unity in tackling global challenges, as the leaders gather for their first in-person meeting since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January.

Canada holds this year’s rotating presidency of the G7, which also includes Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States plus the European Union. Fears are growing that the framework is becoming fragile as Trump pursues his “America First” policy.

Instead of releasing a comprehensive statement, the G7 leaders may still consider mapping out documents on specific issues, according to the source.

The gathering comes as Trump, who has promoted protectionist trade policies to prop up domestic industries, has moved to impose higher tariffs — even on U.S. allies — sparking concerns about global commerce and the broader economy.

The G7 leaders normally discuss a range of issues, such as security, the economy and climate change.

The last time no joint statement was issued after an in-person summit was in 2007, when the seven countries and Russia formed a framework called the Group of Eight. Since the following year, the leaders have regularly issued joint statements at the end of each summit.

Russia was expelled in 2014 following its annexation of Crimea, and the remaining nations have since deepened their cooperation as the original G7.