Canada (June 16) — Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba arrived in Canada on Sunday for the Group of Seven (G7) summit, where he is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with U.S. President Donald Trump focusing on tariffs and trade policies.

This year’s G7 summit, hosted in Kananaskis, marks the first in-person attendance for Ishiba as Japan’s leader. The two-day gathering comes at a time when global trade dynamics are evolving, with higher U.S. tariffs on automobiles, auto parts, steel, and aluminum prompting concern from export-oriented economies like Japan.

Ahead of his departure, Ishiba emphasized the importance of G7 unity in addressing a broad range of global and regional challenges. As the only Asian member of the G7, he noted that Japan would highlight issues affecting the Indo-Pacific and advocate for stability across key regions including Asia and the Middle East.

One of the key events during Ishiba’s visit is his anticipated meeting with President Trump. The two leaders are expected to address progress in ongoing ministerial-level negotiations on U.S. tariffs, which have yet to yield concrete results. Ishiba has reaffirmed Japan’s position not to compromise its national interest in pursuing a resolution.

A recent development likely to factor into discussions is the U.S. government’s approval of the acquisition of United States Steel Corp. by Japan’s Nippon Steel Corp. The deal, which includes a “golden share” provision granting the U.S. government veto power over major management decisions, has been described by Ishiba as symbolic of growing bilateral economic ties and an opportunity to enhance supply chain cooperation.

The summit is expected to cover key topics including global economic growth, trade disruptions, supply chain resilience, and the role of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. Under the chairmanship of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the G7 leaders may forgo a traditional joint communiqué in favor of issue-specific statements.

In addition to participating in multilateral discussions, Ishiba is also expected to hold separate meetings with several invited leaders attending the summit as non-G7 members, including South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The G7 comprises Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union.

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