Despite high tensions between the Trump administration and America's closest allies over tariffs and Ukraine, foreign ministers from the seven industrialized democratic groups they met in Canada this week have falsified common ground in a communicature that has sparkled many of their sharp differences.
Top diplomats, meetings from Canada, the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the European Union conference introduced a carefully unified front in Lamalbea's idyllic resort town in Charbois, Quebec, particularly in Ukraine.
In a statement released Friday, the group has pledged to support Ukrainian sovereignty and to support the “political aspirations” of Israelis and Palestinians, but has not mentioned support for the two states' solutions.
Reaching some consensus on Ukraine and Russia was considered a feat given Trump's public criticism of Kiev, but the group's language on the subject has not been as intense as in the past few years.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has found himself in difficult circumstances, particularly among his Canadian hosts and allies. He is a Canadian host and replies with the story of Trump annexing his country and turning it into a “51st state.”
That rhetoric that loomed over the 48 hours the minister spent together in Quebec took a sharp rep from Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie on Friday, who told reporters he told Rubio that “Canadian sovereignty is not a debate.”
“There's no discussion, there's no conversation about it. There's no need to talk about it,” she added. “You are here, you respect us, you respect our sovereignty, you are in our country, you respect our people. Period.”
Canada is also more assertive by requiring that its allies stand up to sovereignty, but Quebec's ministers have walked the tiny line between supporting Canada and avoiding reaching the wrong side of Trump.
German Foreign Minister Analena Bearbock and the top European Union diplomat Kaja Karas posted photos of herself dressed in red and white, the Canadian national colour. “We have your back,” their post said to Jolie.
On Thursday, Trump threatened to slap 200% tariffs on European Union alcohol exports.
And more tariffs are looming on April 2nd as Trump promised a comprehensive reboot of his trade ties with the world, and applied what he called “mutual” tariffs on his trading partners around the world.
Rubio is at the heart of the storm, making his first appearance at international summits since becoming Trump's top diplomat.
Given the rage and confusion over Trump's policies among officials at the conference, it was a troublesome mission for Rubio, and there were indications that he didn't long for him to spend time with them more than he needed to. Rubio was particularly lacking in another event featuring Canadian Maple Toffee at Wednesday's social event, where other pastors nibble on smores and another event on Thursday.
What complicated Rubio's situation was the shadow of the story of Trump annexing the host nation of the rally.
When asked by a reporter on Monday about the president's recent speech that the 1908 treaty depicting the 1908 US border could be torn apart, Rubio appeared to be temporarily speechless. He then dismissed the topic, saying that it was “not an agenda” for a group of seven people.
When asked again about Trump's threat on Wednesday, Rubio highlighted the solidarity between the US and Canada, adding that it was “not a meeting on how to take over Canada.”
Trump returned to the subject on Thursday, telling reporters at the Oval Office that “Canada only works as an American nation.” The border treaty created “artificial lines” “make no meaning,” he added.
On Friday, Jolie and Rubio each made comments that characterised the relationship between the two countries in almost identical ways.
The group's final statement supported Ukraine's “territorial integrity and rights to exist” and referred to Russia's “acts of attack.” However, it was milder than the previous G7 leader's statement in November 2024, declaring “as long as it requires unwavering support for Ukraine,” calling Russia the “only obstacle” to peace.
When he returned from Canada, Rubio announced that he was banishing the ambassador from South Africa to the US, Ebrahim Lasor. Rubio wrote on social media that the ambassador is Trump, “a racially boring politician who hates America.” He added, “He is considered a Persona non-grata because we have nothing to talk about with him.”
Rubio commented on a repost of an article on conservative news site Breitbart. Mr. Lasor took place on Friday at a Johannesburg Institute. The article highlighted Lathor that Trump is leading the “supervisor” movement against “incumbents.”
Rubio said on social media last month that he would not attend a meeting of top diplomats from groups in 20 South African countries, criticising the South African host for focusing on “solidarity, equality and sustainability.”
Trump has signed an executive order to help resettle white South African farmers whose government has taken land, despite not being a widespread practice in South Africa. He also ordered the federal government to cut off all aid to South Africa.
Edward Wong contributed to reporting from Washington
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