The anniversary G7 summit in the Canadian Rockies was supposed to symbolize the strength of the Western alliance. Instead, it turned into a cold performance revealing that the so-called “family of democracies” no longer exists. Symbolically, the summit ended without a final communiqué—participants chose not to bother looking for consensus. Because there is none.
Around the table sat representatives of the so-called seven leading industrial nations: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni—and Donald Trump.
Once again, Trump turned international politics into a spectacle.
Trump Turns the Summit into an Arena
“The G7 means nothing without US leadership,” said summit host Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, standing beside Trump. But the very presence of Donald Trump undermines the idea of collective leadership. Under him, there is no joint course or shared values—there is only Trump and his personal interests.
He openly muses about whether Vladimir Putin should be invited back to reform the G8. He suggests inviting China’s Xi Jinping as well. “Great idea,” he said in Kananaskis, quite seriously.
Trump’s presence blurs the line between diplomacy and entertainment. He turns any venue—whether it’s the Opal Room at a resort or the Oval Office—into an arena. The other leaders become extras. And he is the predator. Or as Der Spiegel puts it: the tiger. A tiger facing poorly armed gladiators.
Division Instead of Unity
There used to be more behind the glossy façade of the G7: real decisions, joint commitments to fight malaria, address climate change, support poor countries. Even on the invasion of Ukraine, the G7 once stood united.
Now, not anymore. Macron wants to recognize a Palestinian state and calls Israel’s actions in Gaza a “scandal.” Germany, meanwhile, continues to insist that Israel is “defending itself.”
Der Spiegel emphasizes: “The world is looking at this table in search of leadership,” said Carney. But the question is: was he joking or simply detached from reality?
Today, the world looks at the G7 not with hope, but with curiosity. Like watching a reality show. Or gladiatorial games.
A Summit Without Purpose
G7 was created in 1975 in Rambouillet, France. Its first declaration stated: “We came together because we share common beliefs and a joint responsibility.” In 2025, in Kananaskis, fifty years later, that reads like satire.
If not now, then when would have been the right time to demonstrate collective resolve? There is a full-scale war in Europe. A new conflict in the Middle East. A humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Collapsing climate agreements. Economic instability. There are more than enough reasons.
Yet the summit yields nothing. It produces no results—only the appearance of activity. This time, they skipped the final declaration altogether, knowing it wouldn’t change anything.
Instead of Values—Personal Deals
If unity is gone, perhaps pragmatism remains? Keir Starmer succeeded where other Europeans failed: he signed a trade agreement with Trump. Now, British automaker Jaguar Land Rover can export to the US with just a 10% tariff instead of 25%.
“The great PM,” Trump called the new British prime minister.
The UK, Trump said, is “well protected anyway.” Why? “Because I like it.” That, he said, is the “ultimate shield.”
So much for the community of values.
Trump Isn’t Pretending
And yet, there is a certain logic in Trump’s behavior. He doesn’t pretend to believe in the “Western alliance.” He simply ignores questions about tariffs, China, Ukraine, or the Middle East. He leaves a day early—to meet with “his people,” perhaps Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss whether the US will send B2 bombers to Iran’s Fordo facility or not.
He doesn’t need the G7.
A Final Message: No More G7, Only Trump
Der Spiegel’s conclusion is clear: the Western model of leadership is broken. G7 is no longer a symbol of unity or influence. This was made painfully clear in Kananaskis. All that remains of the “Group of Seven” is a glossy image and one key figure who doesn’t believe in collectives at all.
“There is no G7 anymore. There is only Trump.” That, in essence, is the message the rest of the world is now receiving.
This article was prepared based on materials published by Der Spiegel. The author does not claim authorship of the original text but presents their interpretation of the content for informational purposes.
The original article can be found at the following link: Der Spiegel.
All rights to the original text belong to Der Spiegel.
