Economic imbalances, war in Ukraine, Middle East: the thorny issues on the table of the G7, which begins Monday in Evian

Economic imbalances and geopolitical crises. The menu of discussions which will be held at the G7 summit, from Monday June 15 to Wednesday June 17, promises to be busy. For three days, the German, Canadian, American, French, Italian, Japanese and British leaders – accompanied by thousands of members of their delegations and almost as many journalists – will meet on the shores of Lake Geneva, in Evian (Haute-Savoie). The French presidency of the Group of Seven also invited the heads of several international organizations and the leaders of several invited countries (Brazil, South Korea, India, Kenya and Egypt), for discussion.

Together, they will seek to find “a convergence” and answers “concretes” on a number of issues, starting with the priorities put on the agenda by Paris, assures the Elysée. For months now, representatives of participating States have been meeting to discuss the overhaul of the international solidarity system, the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime, and even better online protection for minors.

But the main subject for France is the reduction of global macroeconomic imbalances. In January, at the Davos Economic Forum, Emmanuel Macron pointed out “American overconsumption, Chinese underconsumption and overinvestment, and European underinvestment and lack of competitiveness”remind Les Echos.

For Paris, these imbalances “have the consequences of strong commercial but also geopolitical tensions”relayed France’s permanent mission to the UN in March. “The international economy (…) has become a space of confrontation where, through the balance of power and constraint, the ambitions of power and domination are expressed“, she explains on this page detailing the “priorités du G7”. “These imbalances have a direct impact on the capacity of all countries to grow and develop.”

With the Evian summit, Emmanuel Macron intends “return to the initial purpose of creating the G7: we need to see how we can coordinate on these issues”, underlines to franceinfo the Minister Delegate in charge of Europe, Benjamin Haddad. “On the resilience of critical minerals value chains, for example, there are countries with which we can work on joint purchases”he says. States will discuss at the summit the coordination of their policies on these resources and the creation of stocks, as well as the possibility of restrictions on the exploitation of critical materials, confirms the Elysée.

The exploitation of rare minerals, essential for the tech sector, is today largely dependent on China. But the representatives of Beijing, which is not part of the Group of Seven, will not travel to Evian. China nevertheless attended a video conference on Thursday, June 11 “economic cooperation” with the G7, at the initiative of France. According to the Elysée, the participants noted that “these imbalances are dangerous” and are “determined to act together on a shared, sustainable growth agenda for the benefit of all”. This work will continue at the G7 but also at the G20, scheduled for December in the United States, specifies the presidency.

France thus hopes to relaunch international dialogue, particularly to “restore a strong industry in Europe” et “balancing trade with China as well as the United States”explained the Elysée on Thursday, after the meeting. In Evian, the task could however prove difficult, faced with Donald Trump who regularly displays his disinterest in multilateralism, and whose administration once again threatened, at the beginning of June, to impose additional customs duties on 60 countries, as part of an insufficient fight against forced labor.

The conflict in Ukraine will be another major issue on the table. “Support from the G7” kyiv is among the priorities of the French presidency, which invited Volodymyr Zelensky to the summit. The war with Russia is “a major strategic issue for Europeans: we must defend our interests and deploy our own agenda, while continuing to discuss with the White House”explains the minister responsible for Europe, Benjamin Haddad.

The subject will be discussed during a dedicated working meeting on Tuesday, including the question “to encourage a negotiation” direct between kyiv and Moscow to find a lasting solution to the conflict, reports the Elysée. The French, German and British leaders had already given their support to this proposal from Volodymyr Zelensky on June 7, following a summit in London.

The Group of Seven will attempt to “agree on the parameters and conditions of this dialogue”including on sensitive points of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and security guarantees in the event of a ceasefire. The leaders also intend to discuss the means necessary to protect the Ukrainian energy network, targeted last winter by intense Russian strikes, the repair of the Chernobyl casing, and the maintenance of military and financial aid to kyiv.

Another conflict was added to the summit menu: that in the Middle East. The G7 leaders had already raised the issue in March, in the midst of a surge in oil prices linked to the war in Iran. A working lunch has been scheduled in Evian on Tuesday, in the presence of the presidents of Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the Emir of Qatar. According to the Elysée, they will discuss the situation in Gaza and Lebanon, but also the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, while Donald Trump announced on Sunday that a peace agreement had been concluded with Tehran. “Ships around the world, start the engines”he wrote.

The maritime passage, where traffic has been interrupted for several months, is strategic for the transport of oil, fuel and fertilizers. The goal of the G7 “will see the consequences” of the ceasefire announced on Sunday, to discuss “the long-term reopening of Hormuz” and of “the conclusion of an agreement on nuclear and ballistics in Iran”declared Emmanuel Macron in a video posted on X, Sunday evening, upon his arrival in Evian. In May, France and the United Kingdom had already co-chaired an international meeting to consider a mine-clearing mission from the Strait, which would be carried out once a lasting peace agreement was signed.