G7 summit: Leaders race to narrow divides amid Iran talks, trade tensions, and political shocks at Evian, as US-EU dynamics reshape global policy.
Research from the Centre for European Reform has found that UK exports to the EU have fallen by about 12% since Brexit, driven mainly by leaving the single market; chemicals, agrifood, travel and financial services have been hardest hit. Politicians are debating options — customs union, single-market deals or full re-entry — while a July 22 UK‑EU summit will press the reset in relations.
The US is negotiating health aid deals with African nations that include demands for access to critical minerals and data sharing, causing pushback from countries like Zimbabwe and Zambia. The secrecy and conditions raise concerns about exploitation and sovereignty, with some nations walking away from negotiations.
Syria has been invited to participate in the upcoming G7 summit discussions as a guest state, a move aimed at boosting legitimacy and attracting reconstruction support. Officials say the talks will also focus on Syria’s role as a potential hub for supply chains in a geopolitically tense region, even as the domestic economy remains severely strained and humanitarian needs persist.
SoftBank has announced a €75bn plan to build AI data centres in northern France and to develop up to 5GW of capacity by 2031. Governments and companies are tightening domestic energy plans in response, prompting talks on interconnectors, local refineries and nuclear or modular-reactor options to meet the data centres’ huge electricity demand.
At the G7 in Évian-les-Bains, President Donald Trump has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said the US will defend India if Modi faces attack. The meeting has occurred as bilateral talks on an interim trade deal continue and Washington has proposed new tariffs on imports from 60 economies, including India, over alleged forced labour.
President Donald Trump has delayed Jay Clayton’s Senate confirmation and said Bill Pulte will remain acting director of national intelligence. Trump has tied progress on renewing Section 702 surveillance authority and Clayton’s confirmation to passage of a voter ID bill and has ordered Pulte to cut ODNI staff and return employees to their home agencies.
A bipartisan push to codify permanent daylight saving time is gaining traction in Congress, with President Trump lobbying lawmakers and some Republicans signaling support. The effort seeks to end the twice-yearly clock change, arguing it would bring daylight to evenings and boost economic activity, but faces concerns from farmers, sleep experts, and some GOP skeptics.
Leaders of the world’s seven largest economies are gathering in Evian-les-Bains as divisions over Iran, Ukraine, and economic imbalances test cohesion. A deal to end the Iran war is anticipated, but consensus remains elusive as European allies push for firmer action and the U.S. position under Trump remains uncertain.
Trump will attend a dinner with Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles following the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains. The events center on Ukraine and Iran, with Trump set for bilateral talks with European leaders and others including Qatar, UAE, Egypt and India.
A coalition of over 60 groups has mobilised for a large protest as the G7 leaders gather. Geneva is bracing for a security-heavy weekend, with authorities deploying thousands of police and military personnel and closing border crossings ahead of the Evian-hosted talks.
Trump has warned at the G7 summit that the United States will impose a 100% tariff on all champagnes and French wines unless France scraps its digital services tax. Macron has refused to drop the tax, escalating a trade conflict tied to tech levies and EU-US diplomacy.
The memorandum of understanding to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz has been signed by President Donald Trump and Iranian officials, with a Friday signing ceremony planned in Switzerland. Officials say toll-free, long-term access will be studied in technical negotiations that could hinge on regional conflicts and Tehran’s nuclear talks. Markets have reacted with relief as details unfold.
Anthropic has been engaging with the Trump administration to resolve security concerns after the White House imposed export controls on Mythos and Fable. Negotiations are ongoing, with leadership from Tom Brown and Sarah Heck participating. Public comment requests have not been returned. The actions come amid broader concern about AI safety and leadership in cyber defense.
At the G7 gathering in Evian-les-Bains, Keir Starmer has faced questions about a potential leadership challenge as UK domestic politics collide with international diplomacy. Leaders discuss Ukraine, sanctions, and a path to demining the Strait of Hormuz, while Sidelines and hot mics reveal fractures at home.
Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni has said President Donald Trump has "completely made up" a story that she begged him for a photo at the G7. Meloni has posted a video rejecting the claim and Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani has cancelled a planned US trip, calling Trump’s words "serious and offensive."
Leaders at the G7 summit are pressing for international AI standards while debates over access to frontier models and export controls intensify. The lunch with Anthropic, OpenAI and other tech chiefs highlights a shift toward private-sector influence on policy.
The White House has restricted access to Anthropic’s Mythos 5 and Fable 5 for foreign nationals, citing national security. Anthropic has suspended access to these models, creating winners for open-weight providers like Mistral and DeepSeek and prompting renewed calls for AI sovereignty in Europe. The debate centers on control versus access as nations weigh strategic dependencies on US AI infrastructure.
The United States has released a 60-day interim framework with Iran, including a $300 billion reconstruction fund and sanctions relief, and Iran says it will allow safe passage for ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Republicans criticize the terms as potentially strengthening Tehran; some GOP lawmakers warn the regime may still gain leverage. The plan is under consideration as Congress weighs votes and the administration seeks to avoid a renewed war.