President Donald Trump has chosen not to sign a joint statement initiated by G7 leaders in Canada, aimed at advocating for de-escalation between Israel and Iran. The draft statement, led by European officials, emphasizes Israel’s right to self-defense and opposes Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons. Trump’s refusal to endorse the statement immediately created a rift with his G7 counterparts at the Canadian summit. Despite ongoing discussions among G7 delegations regarding the statement’s language, Trump remains steadfast in withholding his signature, citing skepticism towards multilateral organizations like the G7.

European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, are eager to reach a consensus on the Middle East situation with the support of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Trump’s stance reflects his commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and his belief in U.S. leadership in promoting global peace efforts.

Concerns have been raised about the lack of clarity in Trump’s strategy concerning Israel and Iran, prompting his fellow leaders to seek answers during the summit. Differences have emerged between Trump and Macron regarding the involvement of Russian President Vladimir Putin in mediating the conflict. Trump’s critical remarks about the exclusion of Russia from the G7 further underscore the tensions surrounding the summit’s discussions.

As deliberations continue, it remains uncertain how Trump’s position will influence the G7’s approach to the Israel-Iran conflict. The divergent viewpoints among world leaders highlight the complex dynamics at play in addressing the escalating situation in the Middle East.