Trump Leaves G7 Early Over Middle East Crisis Cancelling Albanese Meeting

President Donald Trump cut short his attendance at the G7 Summit in Canada due to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, leading to the cancellation of his highly anticipated bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Despite Albanese's preparations and optimism for discussions on trade, the trilateral submarine security pact, and tariff adjustments, the early departure disrupted plans to reinforce economic and defense cooperation. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt cited urgent Middle East developments as the reason for Trump's return to Washington, though Trump denied reports of proposing a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. The cancellation was met with mixed reactions, with some viewing the missed opportunity as unfortunate given the importance of US-Australian relations, while analysts noted that major trade negotiations were unlikely to progress imminently. Australian officials continue to emphasize dialogue and diplomacy amid Middle East tensions, and future meetings, such as those at the upcoming Quad summit in India, may provide alternative opportunities for engagement. The incident underscores the complex balance between addressing immediate global crises and maintaining strategic international partnerships.