The Group of 7 nations wrapped up their summit in Canada on Tuesday with six joint statements on subjects spanning AI, quantum computing and critical minerals but reportedly dropped plans to issue a seventh “strongly worded” statement on the Ukraine war after objections from the United States. “Basically, no statement because the Americans wanted to water it down,” an unnamed Canadian official told reporters on condition of anonymity, according to AFP. News services on Tuesday reported the proposed statement would have condemned Russia in no uncertain terms – a routine G7 stance before US President Donald Trump’s re-election – but that Washington had argued such an approach could undermine its ability to negotiate. The other six member countries decided that the watered-down language would not have been fair to Ukraine, the official added, so they opted to reflect its contents in a statement issued by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Trump has repeatedly declined to blame Russia for invading Ukraine. On Monday, Trump repeated his claim that G7 members were essentially responsible for starting the Ukraine war when they expelled Russian President Vladimir Putin from the group in 2014 after Russia annexed Crimea. This year’s annual G7, held in Kananaskis in the Canadian province of Alberta, was overshadowed by the American president’s departure a day early as the conflict between Israel and Iran raged, effectively turning the gathering into a G6. Trump’s departure saw the postponement of expected meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, as well as the leaders of non-member nations India and Australia, although the US leader later spoke with Sheinbaum by phone, the White House said, without providing details. Analysts said although China is not a G7 member, it loomed large at the gathering. “One of the summit’s most important priorities, China, will appear nowhere on the public agenda,” said Henrietta Levin of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, a US think tank, in a report. “While the group prefers to publicly emphasise its affirmative programme, behind closed doors, the leaders are surely discussing how Beijing is challenging G7 nations’ security, prosperity and values.” The America-first Trump has long criticised multilateral groupings and this year he encountered trade tension with its other six members: Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan. In keeping with its aggressive use of tariffs, the Trump administration has imposed 50 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium and 25 per cent levies on autos. Washington is also imposing a 10 per cent tax on imports from most countries, though that could increase in early July when a 90-day negotiating period is set to expire. Members of Trump’s trade team remained in Canada after Trump left, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council. After leaving Canada, Trump on Tuesday said Japan was being “tough” in trade talks and that the European Union had not yet offered what he considered reasonable terms. “We’re talking, but I don’t feel that they’re offering a fair deal yet,” Trump told reporters, referring to the EU. “They’re either going to make a good deal or they’ll just pay whatever we say they have to pay.” Trump vowed to sign 90 trade agreements in 90 days but so far has only reached a single deal with Britain. The two countries signed a trade framework on Monday, codifying what was originally announced in May. Trump described British trade as “very well protected” because “I like them, that’s why. That’s their ultimate protection”. But London still faces sectoral tariffs. “Trump’s quick departure from the G7 meeting was most probably a blow to certain trading partners who were hoping to make their case directly to the [US] president in the lead-up to the July 8 tariff pause deadline,” said Wendy Cutler of the Asia Society Policy Institute, a US think tank. “With three weeks left in the 90-day tariff truce period, the talks are now in the home stretch,” the former acting deputy US trade representative added. “Not surprisingly, they have proved more difficult than the White House expected, with only one deal announced thus far with the UK.” Meanwhile, Tuesday’s G7 critical minerals statement conveyed concern over Chinese economic policy without mentioning the Asian giant by name. Beijing controls more than 60 per cent of global rare earth production and nearly 90 per cent of refining capacity, giving it enormous leverage over trading partners. “We recognise that non-market policies and practices in the critical minerals sector threaten our ability to acquire many critical minerals,” the statement said. Recognising this threat to its economies including “deliberate market disruption”, the group vowed to “work together and with partners beyond the G7 to swiftly protect our economic and national security”. Group statements on AI and quantum computing urged cooperation in using the powerful tools to close digital divides, promote national security and spur trustworthy cross-border data flows. They also warned of the need for vigilance given their ability to “enable new defence capabilities and threaten current data protection systems”. And a statement on transnational repression without identifying China by name appeared to call out Beijing for practices “whereby states or their proxies attempt to intimidate, harass, harm or coerce individuals or communities outside their borders”. “It has a chilling effect in our countries,” the statement said, citing the inordinate impact on “dissidents, journalists, human rights defenders, religious minorities and those identified as part of diaspora communities”. The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.