Whither the G7 (now G6?) summit

WHAT is the G7– the elite grouping of advanced economies – good for? Conventional wisdom has it that this is about setting the economic direction for everyone else. Trade, international security, climate change and gender equality are core issues. This year, energy security, critical minerals supply and artificial intelligence are added to the list of topics.

How the current meeting of leaders from the US, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Japan in a small Canadian town square those lofty subjects with the situation that they actually find themselves in now is worth watching, even if only for its entertainment value.

After all, before he left in a hurry, US President Donald Trump was briefly in a country that he wants to annex. He has also launched a pervasive trade war against all his allies there, as well as most of the world. He denies climate change and has no time for gender issues. On top of that, the leaders have to grapple with the Ukraine war, the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, and outbreak of another war between Israel and Iran.