President Donald Trump kicked off a working session at the Group of Seven summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, on Wednesday by walking in and announcing, “I’m the boss,” drawing laughs from fellow leaders. The offhand remark set the tone for a day dominated by the U.S.-Iran framework agreement and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump made the quip just before a meeting with officials from the International Monetary Fund and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The G7 gathering—including leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.—has been overshadowed by the breakthrough deal that electronically ended the conflict between Washington and Tehran.
Iran Deal and Energy Markets
The president took to Truth Social early Wednesday to declare the trip a “Great Success,” writing that “mostly what people wanted to talk about, is the fact that Iran will not have a Nuclear Weapon, and that the Strait of Hormuz will immediately be opened!” The waterway, through which about 20 percent of global oil flows daily, had been effectively closed by the war and a U.S. naval blockade, sending energy prices soaring.
Trump touted his administration’s economic record in the same post, claiming “Great Numbers in all categories for the United States Economy with more people working today than have ever worked before.” He added that “over 19.1 Trillion being invested in the U.S.A.” and that “Oil Prices are tumbling down” as a result of the settlement. The president has faced intense pressure to reopen the strait and stabilize energy markets, a key issue that also surfaced at the summit.
Bilateral Meeting with Modi
During a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday morning, a reporter asked Trump about the warm reception he received from G7 leaders, given his previous criticism that European allies had not done enough to support the U.S. in the Iran conflict. “I think they think I was right,” Trump replied. “Now all of a sudden they all want to be involved.”
The president’s remarks underscored the shifting diplomatic landscape as the U.S. and Iran prepare for technical negotiations to implement the framework agreement. The deal has also drawn attention to other foreign policy flashpoints, including tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, as well as ongoing debates over habeas corpus and executive power back in Washington.
Trump’s “I’m the boss” comment, while lighthearted, reflected his unapologetic style on the world stage. It also came amid a broader summit agenda that included trade disputes, climate policy, and the fallout from the Iran war—issues that have tested transatlantic relations. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney downplayed the lack of a one-on-one meeting with Trump, noting that they had multiple informal talks.
As the summit continues, the focus remains on the Iran deal’s implementation and its impact on global energy markets. Trump’s Truth Social posts and his press conference later Wednesday are expected to reinforce his narrative of success, even as critics question the deal’s long-term viability and the administration’s use of emergency powers to fast-track munitions after the conflict depleted stocks.
