The picturesque town of Évian-les-Bains, France, was the backdrop for a three-day G7 summit this week, as leaders mulled the Iran conflict, the Russia–Ukraine war, trade, and the rickety scaffolding of a “new world order.”
It was a tall order for host French President Emmanuel Macron. The summit — moved to accommodate U.S. President Donald Trump’s birthday — produced no overarching joint communiqué, previously a hallmark of G7 summits. Instead, countries released streamlined statements on “mutually beneficial international partnerships,” drug trafficking, and “geopolitical issues,” among other topics.
The splintered communications underscore a shift in international affairs. Squeezed between superpowers, middle powers are forming purpose-built coalitions and bucking the U.S. and China when it serves them. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney alluded to this ‘reorganization’ on Sunday, saying that "what one can't do at this point [...] is to rely on one set of institutions, one grouping, one country to provide the answers.”
China was not invited to the G7 summit, but its role in the international order was central to discussions (and picked up on ‘hot mics’). Last week, Macron chaired a virtual meeting with G7 countries and China to discuss global economic imbalances. Macron’s meeting was seen as an attempt to steer geopolitical debates away from pesky tariffs and towards a broader discussion on China’s industrial overcapacity and trade surplus, sagging productivity and growth in Europe, and protectionist trade policies.
Macron's framing aligns with the original mission of the G6 (Canada joined in 1976, making it the G7). An Associated Press article from November 1975 noted that, over three days of discussions in Rambouillet, France, leaders sought to “transform the world’s economic slump into prosperity” while “fighting inflation, unemployment, and declining world trade.” (The same article noted that, on the first night, “stuffed chicken was the main course, with wines that were good but not spectacular.”)
Modi, Lee nab invites
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung were among the guests at this year’s summit; both are trying to forge deeper connections with Europe. Macron met Modi on Sunday in Nice to open "Bharat Innovates,” a three-day showcase of Indian tech. The two leaders discussed India’s planned order of 114 French ‘Rafale’ jets, technology, and trade. They also adopted an “Innovation Roadmap 2030” and created a bilateral AI Working Group.
Modi is positioning India not simply as a summit guest, but as a ‘bridge’ between the G7 and the Global South; he said that “India will not only speak for itself... but give voice to the aspirations of the Global South.” Modi also travelled to Slovakia and Switzerland.
Lee’s 10-day Europe trip — spanning France, Belgium, Italy, and the Vatican — was his first official visit to the continent since coming to office in June 2025. Lee said the trip would strengthen South Korea’s diplomatic and economic foundations amid “overlapping global crises.”
Minerals matter
At the summit, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae proposed a “joint stockpiling initiative” for critical minerals, building on one of Canada’s G7-presidency priorities from last year. Continuity on this issue represents a win for Carney, showing that Ottawa can set the agenda and broker discussions between Indo-Pacific states (e.g. Australia, India, and South Korea) and the G7.
Carney met with Modi on Tuesday, reviewing “progress in bilateral economic co-operation” and launching negotiations on a General Security of Information Agreement. Both leaders appeared bullish on the relationship, citing a commitment to building “a forward-looking strategic partnership.” Unlike a readout of a previous meeting in March, this week’s readout did not feature language on “democratic values,” “transnational repression,” or "rule of law." Carney invited Modi to visit Canada later this year.
