As U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to arrive in Alberta for the G7 summit, Canada faces a delicate diplomatic mission. The primary goal: ensure a smooth, productive visit and avoid the kind of dramatic fallout that soured the last G7 hosted by Canada in Charlevoix, Quebec, seven years ago.
The Shadow of Charlevoix 2018
The 2018 G7 summit in Charlevoix ended in a diplomatic firestorm. President Trump refused to endorse the traditional joint communiqué, departed early, and publicly lashed out at then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, deeming him “very dishonest and weak” amid escalating trade tensions. The summit also produced what many saw as an iconic image: then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other leaders standing resolutely over a seated, arms-crossed Trump, symbolizing the deep divisions.
This history looms large over the upcoming gathering. Experts like Eric Miller of the Rideau Potomac Strategy Group highlight Trump’s sensitivity, noting he can be “very prickly when he feels like he’s not being fully respected.” The clear aim for Ottawa is to ensure Trump leaves with a positive impression, perhaps thinking, “those Canadians aren’t so bad after all.” German Ambassador Matthias Lüttenberg has acknowledged the “very difficult circumstances” Canada navigates as G7 chair under these conditions. Negotiators from 2018, such as Senator Peter Boehm, recall late nights struggling with the Trump administration’s reluctance to include commitments on climate change or the “rules-based international order” in the final statement.
Canada’s Proactive Diplomatic Plan
Under Prime Minister Mark Carney, who took office in April, Canada is implementing a series of strategies to manage expectations and minimize friction. Despite Carney’s past strong stance against Trump’s economic threats and Trump’s continued suggestion that Canada should become a U.S. state, their recent interactions have been surprisingly cordial. A May visit to Washington included praise from Trump, and U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra confirms frequent informal communication between the two leaders via calls and texts.
Ottawa’s approach for the G7 summit includes:
Creative Scheduling: Planning relatively short group sessions and inviting numerous other world leaders. This layout facilitates the one-on-one meetings Trump is known to prefer, as he can reportedly “lose interest” in large multilateral formats.
Focused Outcomes: Moving away from the lengthy, comprehensive joint communiqués that historically conclude G7s. Instead, Canada is focused on releasing shorter, more focused statements on specific issues. This strategy aims to prevent major blowups that can arise from trying to find consensus on every contentious point.
- Positive Agenda: Prioritizing discussions that advance Canadian interests while carefully avoiding isolating the U.S., especially with many guest leaders present. Potential areas for positive note-taking by Trump could include Canada’s recent acceleration of its pledge to meet NATO’s defense spending targets and Alberta’s decision to resume sales of U.S. alcohol, a move counter to other provinces’ responses to past U.S. tariffs.
- www.thestar.com
Navigating Legal Complexities: The Cabinet Order
A unique challenge for this visit involves President Trump’s legal status following his May 2024 conviction on 34 criminal counts in the U.S. Typically, Canadian immigration law can bar individuals convicted of serious crimes from entry without serving time or obtaining special permission after five years.
However, Canada has cleared this hurdle proactively. A formal cabinet order published in February grants diplomatic immunity and privileges specifically to “representatives of a foreign state that participate in the G7 meetings.” This measure effectively provides the necessary exemption for Trump to enter Canada despite his conviction.
The Potential for Golf Diplomacy
One highly discussed tactic to foster a positive atmosphere is leveraging President Trump’s well-known passion for golf. Reports have circulated about the possibility of getting him onto the Kananaskis Country Golf Course, a prospect hinted at when Prime Minister Carney gifted Trump Kananaskis golf gear during their May meeting.
Eric Miller views this as more than a mere gesture. Golf, central to Trump’s life and business dealings, provides a unique, less structured setting for extended facetime and informal negotiations, potentially in the comfort of a golf cart. Having Trump play at a high-quality course makes “eminent sense” as a way to build rapport and potentially make progress on economic concerns or even his proposed “Golden Dome missile shield project.”
In sum, Canada is deploying a multi-faceted strategy – from careful scheduling and focused outcomes to special legal orders and the strategic potential of golf – all aimed at steering the G7 summit clear of the acrimony that defined the last encounter and ensuring a smoother chapter in Canada-U.S. relations. The success of this intricate diplomatic dance remains the key question as leaders gather.
