Trump leaves G-7 early, again showing contempt for global order

US President Donald Trump’s hasty departure from the Group of Seven (G-7) summit in the Canadian Rockies heightened questions about his promise to bring peace to an increasingly volatile world and further demonstrated his skepticism about the mechanisms that have long underpinned US diplomacy.

Trump said he left because of simmering tensions in the Middle East, where Israel is bombing Iranian nuclear facilities and military targets. The move has fueled speculation that the US may be preparing to fight alongside Israel.

Donald Trump attends the G7 summit on June 16

In the past, whenever a crisis occurred, US presidents have used the G-7 mechanism to rally support for a coordinated response. When the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out, for example, the G-7 was a platform for allies to organize support for Kiev.

Trump often says that if he were in power, the Russia-Ukraine conflict would not have happened and Hamas would not have attacked Israel. He withdrew from the Obama-era nuclear deal with Iran and called a new deal a piece of cake.

But five months into his second term, Trump’s confidence has repeatedly run up against the complex, thorny realities of the world.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has not subsided, and the two leaders won’t even sit down at the negotiating table as Trump wishes. On Monday, he refused to impose tougher sanctions on Russia, disappointing a host of allies.

Trump also struggled to constrain Israel’s military actions and Iran’s nuclear ambitions. After publicly calling on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to launch an attack that could derail nuclear talks, Trump wanted to support actions he had opposed.

On June 16, (from left to right) European Council President Costa, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Italian Prime Minister Meroni, French President Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Carney, US President Trump, British Prime Minister Starmer, German Chancellor Merz and European Commission President von der Leyen's "family photo" On June 16, (from left to right) European Council President Costa, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Italian Prime Minister Meroni, French President Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Carney, US President Trump, British Prime Minister Starmer, German Chancellor Merz and European Commission President von der Leyen's "family photo"

As of Monday, US officials sent mixed messages, with Trump warning the Iranians to evacuate Tehran and Defense Secretary Hegseth saying the president still believed a nuclear deal could be reached.

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"Iran should have signed the 'deal' I asked them to sign," Trump wrote on social media, adding that "everyone should evacuate Tehran immediately!"