G7 Summit: No Consensus On Climate Issues

Heads of state, members or guests of the G7, pose for a group photo on May 27th in Taormina, Sicily.

Second and final day of the 43rd G7 summit, this Saturday, May 27 in Sicily. Apart from the fight against terrorism, little progress has been made at this time on the other major issues discussed. US positions remain far removed from those of other leaders, including climate and global trade. Differences that make us fear a final communiqué at least, or even the elaboration of two separate texts in order to satisfy all the parties.

This Saturday, May 27, the other leaders will try again to convince Donald Trump of the merits of the Paris agreement on climate. The US president announced that he would vote after the summit on a possible exit from the agreement. The aim of the leaders is, therefore, to give as many arguments as possible to the Americans so as to nourish their reflection. The Paris agreement creates jobs and a source of development, according to them.

Climate will definitely have been the most complicated topic to address during this G7 summit. If the leaders present in Taormina could not find a common position on this issue, the fact that the debate was held proves that there has been progressing. According to a source from the Elysee, the American delegation did not at first wish to discuss this subject. Finally, Donald Trump listened to the arguments of the other six leaders and would have even been very attentive.

Evidence of an advance for the Elysee

Arguments that may well influence the decision of the United States. In the final communiqué of this G7 summit, the climate will be well addressed in three points. First point: the United States is revising, studying the contents of the Paris agreements. Second point: the G7 takes note of the US position. Third point: the six other leaders reaffirm their commitment and support to the Paris agreement.

It remains to wait for the decision of the White House, but no date has been advanced. The climate will have tightened minds during this summit, but according to the Elysee, the mere fact of having approached it proves that there have been advances.

A locked communication

The other issue is not the issue of global trade. Here too, Donald Trump seems to be antipodal compared to the other leaders since the American president advocates protectionism. Beyond the subjects covered during these two days, this summit is very locked in terms of communication. The talks take place a few kilometers from the press center. This closure is all the more important as some of the heads of state here present also apply this type of practice to the journalists who follow them.

This is particularly true of the American press. Proof of the distance that wishes to put Donald Trump on this press, the president of the United States lodges in a ship of the American Navy off Taormina. He is the only officer not to sleep on the spot. This tendency to control communication from one end to the other is becoming widespread, due to the leakage and the speed at which information circulates today.