G7 Summit Marks 50 Years Amid Declining Cohesion, Global Influence

The recent 50th anniversary G7 Summit in Canada highlighted the group's declining global economic dominance and questioned its relevance amid shifting world dynamics. Once accounting for a majority of global GDP, the G7 now represents less than one-third, with rising powers like China and India challenging its influence, prompting calls for the group to reinvent its priorities. President Donald Trump’s early departure from the summit and his tariff policies have exacerbated internal divisions, undermining trust and cohesion within the G7, particularly over responses to conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. The summit exposed challenges in maintaining unified stances, as Trump's refusal to join calls for restraint amid the Israel-Iran conflict weakened the group's collective voice. Experts and leaders note that the G7’s configuration from the 1970s no longer reflects current political and economic realities, and the group must adapt to remain relevant in a global order increasingly shaped by non-Western powers. Despite difficulties, the G7 remains an important actor but faces urgent pressure to recalibrate its goals and engagement strategies under the evolving geopolitical landscape.