Donald Trump made headlines at the G7 summit this Wednesday by arriving late to the closing working session in Évian-les-Bains, France, and declaring with an ironic tone to his already-seated counterparts: "I'm the boss."
The U.S. President entered the Hotel Royal in Évian—where the summit was hosted—long after most of the group leaders had been waiting, a recurring pattern in his multilateral engagements. According to reports from El Periódico, he delivered the line with a serious expression despite its evident comedic undertone, and immediately after, he complained about the heat in the room.
Before the press was ushered out, as is customary in these meetings where cameras are only allowed to record the opening moments, Trump threw a joke their way: "Do you want to stay in the meeting? I don't mind."
Key Discussions and Delays
After the exchange, the President took his place to the right of French President Emmanuel Macron, the summit's host, in the same position he had occupied during the previous sessions.
The session, which started an hour late, centered on achieving "balanced economic growth." Joining the table were Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, and Mathias Cormann, secretary-general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Geopolitical Tensions and Agreements
However, Trump's lighthearted demeanor in the room contrasted with the geopolitical intensity of the three-day summit. A significant backdrop was the preliminary agreement reached with Iran days prior, where Tehran pledged not to develop nuclear weapons and the Strait of Hormuz was reopened.
Trump had warned that if Iran attempted to breach the agreement, "all hell would break loose." The exact terms remain unsettled: Washington demands a 20-year moratorium on uranium enrichment, whereas Tehran suggests a timeframe of five to 15 years.
Focus on Ukraine
Another major topic was Ukraine. On Tuesday, Trump held a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski, alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Zelenski outlined three priorities: additional air defense missiles with production licenses, a winter support package, and increased pressure on Russia. Trump described the meeting as a "very good conversation" and expressed hope for progress toward peace.
The G7 also agreed to strengthen sanctions on Russian oil and gas, with specific measures targeting the so-called "ghost fleet" of ships circumventing existing restrictions, as announced by the United Kingdom and Canada. Meanwhile, the European Union pledged an additional loan of 90 billion euros to Kyiv.
Personal Milestones and Political Conversations
The week held personal significance for Trump as well: he turned 80 on June 14, receiving birthday calls, including one from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who used the opportunity to discuss the conflict in Ukraine.
Understanding the G7 Summit's Key Issues
Why did Trump arrive late to the G7 summit?
Trump's late arrival to the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains was consistent with his pattern in multilateral meetings, where he often arrives after other leaders.
What were the main topics discussed at the G7 summit?
The G7 summit focused on balanced economic growth, the Iran nuclear agreement, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, among other geopolitical issues.
How did Trump respond to the Iran nuclear agreement?
Trump warned that if Iran breached the nuclear agreement, severe consequences would follow. The terms of the agreement are still being negotiated, with differences in the proposed duration of uranium enrichment moratoriums.