US President Donald Trump has again caused international headlines when he called for enlarging the G7 group. Addressing the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, Trump indicated that he would like the G7 to be the G8 once again, with Russia included. He even went as far as proposing making it a G9 and including China.
Trump attributed previous leaders with expelling Russia in 2014 and argued that the Ukraine war would not have occurred if Russia had stayed within the bloc. Even though he previously used harsh rhetoric against China, he now also advocates for including it. His comments raise an eyebrow, not only because of their message but also because they are factually wrong and politically ironic.
Trump Defends Russia, Blames Obama and Trudeau
Trump defended Russia’s return by arguing that the 2014 expulsion of Russia from the G8 resulted in the current war in Ukraine. He directly pointed fingers at former US President Barack Obama and former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau for expelling Russia.
“The G7 used to be the G8. Barack Obama and a guy named Trudeau didn’t want to have Russia in,” said Trump.
But did not become PM until 2015.—following Russia’s expulsion. Russia invaded Crimea and Ukraine, which led to its expulsion from the bloc—not the other way around. The invasion occurred while Russia was yet a member of the bloc.
Putin Was “Very Insisted,” Says Trump
Trump did assert that Russian President Vladimir Putin was very insulted by the expulsion. “Putin was highly offended when he got expelled from the G8 as I would be, as you would be,” Trump stated.
He contended that this move drove Russia further from diplomatic talks. He maintained that if Russia were still part of the group—or if Trump were president—Ukraine would never have experienced war.
Trump Also Calls for China in G7
Trump also expressed support for China to join the group in a surprising switch. “If someone is willing to propose China coming in, I believe we propose that you want to have individuals that you can converse with,” he said.
This comes despite the fact that many within his inner circle have repeatedly named China as the largest geopolitical threat.
G7’s Historical Context
The G7 started in 1975 as the G6 consisting of the US, UK, France, West Germany, Italy, and Japan. It added Canada in 1976 to become G7. Russia joined in 1997 to become the G8 but was suspended in 2014 for annexing Crimea. The EU has participated since 1977 as an unlisted member with all privileges short of the right to chair or host.
Trump’s summons to restore and strengthen the bloc offends existing diplomatic conventions. His revisionist perspective on history and contentious effort to bring Russia and China on board are indicative of his mercurial foreign policy agenda. When tensions in the world run high, his words can find adherents in some and vociferous opposition in others.