President Donald Trump will leave the Calgary G7 summit early, returning to the White House in order to deal with the escalation of conflict in the Middle East.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the premature exit on her X account.
“President Trump had a great day at the G7, even signing a major trade deal with the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer,” Leavitt wrote.
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“Much was accomplished, but because of what’s going on in the Middle East, President Trump will be leaving tonight after dinner with Heads of State.”
While posing with leaders including U.K Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump spoke to reporters about his premature departure.
“I have to be back, (it’s) very important,” Trump said. “I want to thank our great hosts... I have to be back as soon as I can... I have to be back early for obvious reasons.”
“I loved it,” Trump insisted of his time on ground at the summit. “I think we got a lot done... we had just a really great relationship with everybody. It was really nice, I wish I could stay for tomorrow but they understand. This is big stuff.”
Trump has directed his national security staff in Washington to be on hold for a meeting in the Situation Room when he touches down, according to CNN.
On Monday, Trump made conflicting comments about the situation. “Iran is not winning this war, and they should talk and they should talk immediately before it’s too late,” he said.
When pressed on the matter soon after, Trump added, “I think Iran basically is at the negotiating table. They want to make a deal and as soon as I leave here we’re going to be doing something.”
Trump also embarked on a posting spree on Truth Social Monday, calling for an evacuation of Tehran.
“I told them to sign,” Trump said. “What a shame, and waste of human life. IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!”
Trump had been expected to stay at the G7 until Tuesday night.
His presence at the event had been divisive, after stating he would refuse to sign a communal statement drafted by G7 leaders to call for a de-escalation between Israel and Iran.
Officials were holding out hope Trump could be persuaded to sign the document, according to CNN.
One of Trump’s achievements at the summit was to sign off on a trade deal with U.K Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Trump said he wanted to protect Britain against future tariffs “because I like them.”
The president also found time to criticize ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who last week said Trump was “complicit in the act of war” and that his next move in the conflict between Iran and Israel “will define Donald Trump’s presidency.”
“I don’t know what Tucker Carlson is saying,” Trump told reporters. “Let him go get a television network and say it so that people listen.”
The president has form for leaving G7 summits early. He exited the previous G7 summit in Canada prematurely in 2018 after clashing with then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and refusing to co-operate with a previously agreed summit communique.
Trump called Trudeau “dishonest and weak”.
