Trump to attend G7 in Evian

Donald Trump’s decision to attend next month’s Group of Seven summit in Evian-les-Bains gives France a gathering that now includes one of the meeting’s biggest potential flashpoints. A White House official confirmed on May 20 that Trump will travel to the June 15-17 summit in the French Alpine resort. (thehill.com) The confirmation came after months of uncertainty over whether he would join leaders from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan. France has already framed the summit as a major diplomatic event, with the Elysee saying Evian will host leaders from June 15 to 17. (businesstoday.in) ### Why did Trump’s attendance draw so much attention? May 20 was the first public confirmation from the White House that Trump would attend the summit in person. (al-monitor.com) Reuters, cited by U.S. News, reported that France is hosting this year’s G7 in Evian-les-Bains and that Trump’s ties with several G7 partners have become increasingly strained. The Hill reported that Trump’s disputes with allies have centered in part on the Iran war, with friction also extending to trade policy. AFP, cited by other outlets, said the White House had previously indicated France changed the summit dates to accommodate Trump’s schedule. (thehill.com) ### Why are people watching for a Modi-Trump meeting? Emmanuel Macron invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the summit as a guest, according to multiple Indian media reports. Because India is not a G7 member, Modi’s presence has focused attention on possible sideline meetings rather than the formal leaders’ sessions. (usnews.com) February 2025 was the last time Modi and Trump met in person, those reports said. A new meeting in France would come as India and the United States continue to deal with unresolved trade issues, including U.S. reciprocal tariffs of 25%, according to reports on the expected agenda. (thehill.com) ### What else could complicate the summit agenda? The June 15-17 summit is already set against disputes among G7 governments over Iran and tariffs. Reuters, via U.S. News, said Trump’s relationship with several member states has deteriorated over the war with Iran and other issues. (businesstoday.in) Syria’s expected presence adds another sensitive diplomatic layer. Reuters reported on May 21 that Syria had been invited as a guest nation and would be represented by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, citing three sources familiar with the matter. The report said that would mark Syria’s first participation in a summit of the group since the forum was founded in 1975. (businesstoday.in) ### What has France said about the summit itself? The Elysee has said Evian will host the 2026 G7 summit from June 15 to 17, returning the lakeside town to the center of a major leaders’ meeting more than two decades after the 2003 G8 summit there. France has presented the event as its main multilateral summit of the year. (usnews.com) Evian-les-Bains, on Lake Geneva in southeastern France, will now be the site of several closely watched bilateral encounters alongside the formal G7 program. Those include any Trump meetings with Macron, Modi and other invited leaders. ### What happens next before leaders arrive in Evian? June 15 is the opening date for the leaders’ summit in Evian-les-Bains, according to the Elysee and White House-backed reporting. (al-monitor.com) Between now and then, France is expected to finalize the guest list and bilateral schedules for invited leaders including Modi and, according to Reuters reporting, Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa. (usnews.com) (thehill.com) (elysee.fr)