President Donald Trump touched down in the French Alps on Monday for the Group of Seven summit, hours after publicly claiming the United States had reached a deal to end the conflict with Iran. The announcement immediately set the stage for tense exchanges with European leaders who had been openly critical of Washington’s military posture in the region.
The summit, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron in the spa town of Évian-les-Bains, brings Trump face-to-face with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Macron himself—all of whom have questioned the U.S.-led campaign against Iran. Trump has fired back at each of them for what he views as insufficient backing during the hostilities.
Scrutiny Over the Iran Deal
G7 leaders are expected to press Trump on the specifics of the preliminary Iran agreement, particularly regarding Tehran’s nuclear program and the unfreezing of Iranian assets. No formal text has been released, but a senior French official told Reuters the deal “boosts the chances of the G7 being more constructive as we can now really talk about something operational, which we can work on collectively.”
Tuesday’s agenda includes a working lunch focused on the Middle East and alternative energy supply routes from the Persian Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed since February following repeated Iranian disruptions, sending global energy prices soaring. Discussions will also cover the removal of submerged mines in the strait, an effort the U.K. and France have signaled willingness to assist with.
Trump has long argued that the Obama-era nuclear accord was too weak to prevent Iran from developing a weapon, a position that puts him at odds with several G7 nations that had previously endorsed that agreement.
Allies Welcome Strait Reopening
Macron posted on X that lifting all restrictions and tolls from the Strait of Hormuz is “an indispensable condition for regional stability and the global economy.” He added that “this agreement must enable the urgent and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which the international mission established with the United Kingdom is ready to support. The resources are in place and ready to be deployed.”
Starmer, Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney issued similar statements praising the U.S.-Iran deal. The strait is expected to reopen after a formal signing on Friday, following Trump’s social media declaration to “Let the oil flow!”
Energy prices have already reacted: the national U.S. average for gas dropped to $4.07 on Monday, down from $4.53 last month and $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA data.
Ukraine Talks on the Sidelines
The summit is also expected to showcase unity on Ukraine, now in its fifth year of war with Russia. European leaders are seeking a pathway to negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to attend Tuesday’s session to present Ukraine’s military progress and argue for a diplomatic push. Zelensky has previously expressed willingness to meet with Putin, but the Russian leader has dismissed the overture.
Wine Tariff Threat Looms
Macron may also face pressure from Trump over France’s digital services tax on American tech companies. Trump told the New York Post he warned the French leader: “I asked him not to charge American companies, and if they do, I have no choice but to charge a 100 percent tariff on all champagnes and all wines coming out of France. All [Macron] has to do is get rid of the sales tax, and he wouldn’t have that kind of pressure.”
Macron pushed back on Monday, telling broadcaster TF1 that the U.S. does not “decide what European or French law should be.” The two leaders are scheduled to meet later in the day.
For more on the dynamics between Trump and Macron, read Trump and Macron Face Off Over Iran Deal and Digital Tax at G7. For broader context on the summit, see Trump Heads to G7 Amid Scrutiny of Preliminary Iran Deal.
