President Donald Trump addressed world leaders at the Group of Seven summit on Wednesday, shifting focus to artificial intelligence and economic growth while negotiations advanced on a tentative agreement to end the Iran conflict.
The three-day gathering in a lakeside resort in the French Alps included leaders from France, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Earlier sessions centered on the Russia-Ukraine war and the emerging Iran ceasefire, per reports from the summit.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump revisited his longstanding view on the group’s composition.
“It used to be the G8. Now it’s the G7. I don’t know, that was a good deal or not,” he remarked, reiterating his belief that excluding Russia after its 2014 annexation of Crimea was a mistake, per Fox 4 KDFW.
Tentative Iran Agreement Takes Center Stage
Trump described the Iran pact as a “memorandum of understanding” that has not yet been finalized.
“It’s a memorandum of understanding and if I don’t like it, we’ll go back to shooting at them, dropping bombs,” he said.
He credited his negotiating style and readiness to employ military force, stating, “Nobody could have made this deal.”
On the prospects of a ceremonial signing scheduled for Friday in Switzerland, Trump expressed cautious optimism: “You never know with deals, do you? But you’re going to find out pretty soon. I think it’ll be done. They want to sign. They want to get back to a normal life.”
He called the document “a very strong one” and a detailed precursor to a full contract.
According to leaked copies, the interim agreement would provide Iran with at least $300 billion for rebuilding after the U.S. and Israeli-led bombing campaign. Trump emphasized that the United States would contribute nothing.
“We’re not putting up ten cents,” he said during a meeting with Egypt’s president. He noted that other nations could choose to contribute but made clear the U.S. would not.
G7 leaders threw their support behind the deal on the final day of the summit. French President Emmanuel Macron described it as “a very good deal,” noting that it addresses instability with severe economic consequences. The agreement calls for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of global oil and natural gas supplies — and allows unrestricted Iranian oil sales. In exchange, the U.S. would work toward lifting American and U.N. sanctions if a final deal on Iran’s nuclear program is reached.
Trump arrived last to the final sessions and quipped, “I’m the boss” as he took his seat next to Macron, drawing laughter from the assembled leaders, according to the Associated Press.
AI, Economy, and Trade Concerns
The summit concluded with discussions on the future of artificial intelligence and strategies for economic growth. Leaders expressed worries about China flooding markets with subsidized exports, which they said harm domestic industries and jobs. The meeting also included leaders from India, South Korea, Kenya, and Brazil.
Trump is expected to attend a dinner at the Palace of Versailles before returning to Washington.
Sharp Israeli Criticism of the Deal and Netanyahu
The agreement has drawn intense criticism in Israel, where officials and commentators across the political spectrum called it a setback. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel would continue efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons regardless of the deal, which he emphasized was negotiated by the United States, not Israel.
Netanyahu highlighted that he resisted Iranian demands for an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon as part of the pact. However, rivals blamed him for leading Trump into the conflict with overpromises and failing to achieve key objectives. Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak said Iran emerged stronger while Israel emerged weaker, calling it “Netanyahu’s strategic responsibility,” per the Associated Press. Opposition leader Yair Lapid described the deal as “one of the most shocking failures in Israel’s foreign and security policy,” registered in Netanyahu’s name.
The pact leaves Israel’s operations in Lebanon uncertain. Israel invaded southern Lebanon following Hezbollah rocket attacks. Although Iran pushed for a cessation of Israeli actions there, Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed to maintain troops. Critics argue the deal constrains Israel before dismantling Hezbollah or fully neutralizing Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, while potentially allowing significant financial inflows to Tehran through sanctions relief and asset releases.
Hawkish members of Netanyahu’s coalition, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, urged continuing the Lebanon campaign despite risks to the U.S. agreement. Analysts noted the deal strengthens Iran’s position regionally and gives Hezbollah leverage over future dynamics.
As the G7 closed with support for the ceasefire and economic talks, the Iran agreement remains a high-stakes diplomatic gamble with significant implications for global energy markets, Middle East stability, and domestic politics in both the U.S. and Israel.
