Top leaders to focus on economics, nations and environment during the 3-day G7 Summit being held in Biarritz,France
The leaders of Group of Seven (G7) have gathered in Biarritz town of France on Saturday, i.e., August 24, 2019, for the 3-day annual summit where they will discuss a range of issues covering economics, nations and environment.
The G7 is an international intergovernmental economic organization consisting of world’s 7 largest and most advanced economies. These include United States (U.S.), United Kingdom (U.K.), France, Germany, Canada, Italy and Japan. The gathering is also represented by the European Union (E.U.). As of 2018, these 7 countries together represented 58% of the global net wealth (U.S. $ 317 trillion) and more than 46% of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Expressing his concerns, the President of E.U. Council – Donald Tusk said that the G7 Summit would be a “difficult test of unity and solidarity” majorly due to issues bothering the international fraternity such as the U.S. – China trade war, U.K.’s Brexit deal, tensions between U.S. and Islamic Republic of Iran, denuclearization talks between U.S. and North Korea and concerns over environment, especially in the wake of fire destroying the Amazon rainforest.
Speaking on the occasion, Donald Tusk said, “It is increasingly difficult, for all of us, to find common language and the world needs more of our cooperation, not less. This may be the last moment to restore our political community.”
Besides, the President of France – Emmanuel Macron has said that he wants the world leaders to focus on defence of democracy, gender equality, education and the environment. In a televised speech before the Summit, Macron said he wished to find a common ground with the President of U.S. – Donald Trump, who vaguely concluded the last year’s G7 meeting in Canada, rejecting the final communique.
Prior to the Summit, Macron hosted an unscheduled of 2 hours lunch for Donald Trump, upon the latter’s arrival. The lunch was an attempt from Macron to ensure that he and Trump are aligned in the right direction.
Talking about his lunch with Macron, Trump tweeted, “France and President @EmmanuelMacron have done a really great job thus far with a very important G-7. Lunch with Emmanuel was the best meeting we have yet had. Likewise, evening meeting with World Leaders went very well. Progress being made!”
France and President @EmmanuelMacron have done a really great job thus far with a very important G-7. Lunch with Emmanuel was the best meeting we have yet had. Likewise, evening meeting with World Leaders went very well. Progress being made!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 24, 2019
However, before leaving from France, Trump had said that the taxes imposed by France on U.S. firms like Google and Amazon are unfair. Presently, U.S. digital firms operating in France are charged 3% tax. Trump even threatened to increase tax on the French wine abnormally.
Another pressing issue is the U.S.-China trade war. Very recently, Trump has asked U.S. companies to stop doing all forms of businesses with China.
Taking it to twitter, Trump said, “Our great American companies are hereby ordered to immediately start looking for an alternative to China including bringing your companies HOME and making your products in the USA.”
This came after the China imposed new retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods worth U.S. $ 75 billion on Friday, August 23, 2019.
During the summit, the eyes will also be on the newly elected Prime Minister of U.K. – Boris Johnson who is working on a workable Brexit deal. Johnson’s key issues during the summit include global trade, environment and women’s education.
Sounding hopeful of the Summit, Macron tweeted, “#G7Biarritz has begun. We may not accomplish everything we’ve set out to, but we’ll do our best to be effective to ensure your security, create more jobs and fight the inequality you are suffering. I’ll keep you posted on our progress.”
#G7Biarritz has begun. We may not accomplish everything we’ve set out to, but we’ll do our best to be effective to ensure your security, create more jobs and fight the inequality you are suffering. I’ll keep you posted on our progress.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 24, 2019
Separately, thousands of anti-G7 protesters have rallied in the nearby town of Hendaye, about 35 kms. from Biarritz, to demand accountability on various issues like protection of environment, globalisation, gay rights and Palestinian rights.
