The G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains is set to be a tense affair, with French President Emmanuel Macron navigating the challenges of hosting a guest of honour, Donald Trump, who has a history of disrupting proceedings. Macron's agenda is carefully crafted to appeal to Trump, but the question remains: will Trump stay the full three days? The US president's unpredictable nature and his previous exits from G7 summits, citing other priorities like the Iran conflict, have left Macron in a delicate position. The French leader's decision to postpone the summit start to accommodate Trump's 80th birthday celebration and his offering of a Versailles dinner as a reward for staying the course, are strategic moves to ensure Trump's presence. However, Trump's potential to disrupt is ever-present, and the other G7 leaders are left to ponder whether to focus on the future or pass judgment on the ongoing war that has disrupted the global economy. The economic impact of the war is undeniable, with the World Bank cutting global growth forecasts and central banks raising interest rates to combat inflation. The poorest in the world will suffer the most as commodity prices soar and international development aid declines. Macron's efforts to address these issues are evident, but the summit's agenda is also shaped by the need to balance collective solidarity and protectionism in response to China's success in high-value products. The climate crisis, a usual G7 topic, is notably absent from the agenda, replaced by a focus on global economic imbalances. Macron's diplomatic skills are on display as he navigates these complex issues, but the summit's outcome remains uncertain, with the Évian golf course standing by as a potential escape route for the world's most famous 80-year-old golfer.
