The Group of Seven summit that wraps today in Biarrtiz definitely had its contentious moments, and differences over issues like climate change and trade policy may rule out a formal communique. But several of the most high-profile participants are managing to head home with something to try to at least spin as a win.
- Donald Trump and his golf buddy Shinzo Abe secured an agreement in principle on a trade deal that would slash Tokyo's tariffs on American beef, pork and other agricultural products, while delaying for now the threat of additional levies on Japanese auto exports to the U.S. The U.S. president also this morning described what he called a significant breakthrough in trade talks with China.
- The meeting's host, French President Emmanuel Macron, capped a series of not-so-subtle power plays by spearheading an invitation to Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif to join the sidelines of the gathering. Trump struck a conciliatory tone on the matter, telling reporters he knew that Zarif was coming supported Macron's decision to invite him.
- The stakes were high for newly minted U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was making his global summit debut. Johnson survived without any high-profile missteps and used the event to step up his campaign to convince the European Union to reopen Brexit negotiations.
Next year, it will be Trump's turn to host, and he made clear he's already making plans — and, in classic Trump fashion, they include using his Miami golf course as a potential venue.
— Kathleen Hunter
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