Évian, France — The G7 summit kicked off on Monday, entirely overshadowed by a breakthrough deal between the United States and Iran reached just hours before President Donald Trump arrived in Évian. Upon arrival, Trump expressed confidence that the Strait of Hormuz would remain fully open by Friday.
He made these remarks to the press during a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, shortly before the official start of the summit, which concludes on Wednesday. Ensuring free passage through the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical topic.
Trump shows disdain for Macron’s Hormuz proposal In addition to repeatedly praising the Iran deal, which he claims is already allowing oil to flow, lowering barrel prices, and causing the stock market to be «shooting up like a rocket,» the US president appeared dismissive of Macron’s ongoing proposal to guarantee safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
Macron reiterated that he and the United Kingdom are leading a coalition of around twenty countries that have made concrete contributions in military assets to provide security in the Strait, provided the warring parties (the US and Iran) and neighboring Oman agree.
«think we’re going to need much help, because we have an agreement where it’s going to be open and it’s toll-free,» Trump remarked. However, he admitted it would be «a bad idea to have a ship or two up here from a few countries» country like France, just in case.
Turning to Ukraine
Trump believes he may be able to «do something» to end the war in Ukraine, confirming he spoke with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts, Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, respectively, and that both are «open to it.»
He made these comments during his bilateral meeting with Macron, which was marked by forced smiles. «We had a very good conversation yesterday with President Zelenskyy and President Putin, and I think maybe we can do something there. I really do,» he said.
Tuesday (the busiest day of the summit) will begin with the Ukrainian president’s arrival and a session dedicated to peace and security in Ukraine.
On Monday, Macron told French television channel TF1 that he hopes to convince Trump to put more pressure on Russia to end the war. «A good negotiation requires Ukraine and Russia to sit at the same table, with the Europeans and Americans present,» he stated.
Veiled threats vs. pragmatism
The French G7 presidency had signaled beforehand that it wanted the summit to focus on international crisis management and concrete results. Macron underscored this commitment on Monday, emphasizing that he is pragmatic, not spiteful, in his relationship with Trump.
Reports surfaced on Monday in The New York Post that Trump threatened to impose 100% tariffs on French wine and champagne if Macron does not withdraw a digital services tax that disproportionately affects US tech companies.
Macron made it clear that this is a tax decided upon by Europeans and to which they are entitled, and after emphasizing his intention to have a firm but respectful conversation with his counterpart, he stated: “If I were vindictive, it would cause me problems. I am pragmatic.”
Macron’s “Snub”
While the provisional schedule indicated Trump would be the only leader greeted personally by the host, he was met on the Hôtel Royal red carpet by the chief of protocol instead of the French president.
The Élysée had announced a bilateral meeting with Brazilian leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva shortly before. «Everything is very nice,» Trump told reporters upon exiting his car, though the reason for the schedule change remains unclear.
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