Foreign Ministers from the Group of Seven industrialized nations assembled in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada, on Tuesday for a two-day summit convened by Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, amid heightened tensions with the United States over President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Canadian imports and divergent positions on global security issues. The gathering includes representatives from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, alongside invited outreach partners such as Australia, Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, and Ukraine.

Secretary Rubio emphasized in a public statement that the United States remains committed to prioritizing “the safety and security of Americans first,” signaling a continued focus on national interests. The initial session on Tuesday evening addressed efforts to secure long-term stability in the Middle East, with Anand underscoring the importance of preserving President Trump’s proposed Gaza ceasefire framework and exploring pathways toward a future reconstruction conference.

A dedicated meeting with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister is scheduled for Wednesday morning, following Britain’s announcement of £13 million ($17 million) in funding to restore Ukraine’s energy infrastructure ahead of winter, targeting repairs to power grids, heating systems, and water supplies in response to intensified Russian attacks. The United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strategy of disrupting essential services, with Canada having issued a comparable support pledge.

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Trade frictions dominate the backdrop, as President Trump suspended bilateral negotiations after an Ontario government advertisement opposing tariffs drew his objection, building on prior remarks suggesting Canada’s integration as a U.S. state. Prime Minister Mark Carney issued an apology and reaffirmed readiness to resume dialogue, though Anand clarified that trade matters fall under a separate portfolio, enabling her discussions with Rubio to center on defense cooperation, supply chain resilience, and multilateral security commitments.

The agenda also features a working session on energy security and critical minerals, where Canada seeks to strengthen partnerships in 34 strategic resources vital to defense and technology sectors, despite a recent U.S.-China agreement suspending rare-earth export restrictions. Anand highlighted the value of G7 multilateralism in addressing Arctic governance, stabilization in Haiti, and broader geopolitical challenges, aiming to reinforce collective action in an increasingly complex international environment.

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