G7 leaders gather in Évian with Iran fallout and China tensions topping agenda

Leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy democracies have convened in Évian, the lakeside French town hosting this year's summit, with the fallout from the recent Iran war and the growing economic challenge posed by China expected to dominate proceedings.

France holds the G7 presidency in 2026 and has invited several non-member leaders to join some sessions, part of a broader push to engage emerging economies on questions of global governance. Ahead of the gathering, President Emmanuel Macron chaired a video conference with G7 partners and representatives from China, India, Brazil, South Korea and Kenya to discuss global economic imbalances and governance.

The summit brings together leaders at a moment of acute geopolitical strain, with multiple crises competing for attention and divisions within the bloc over how to respond to them. As host, France is seeking to use the gathering to demonstrate that the world's leading democracies can still coordinate on shared challenges despite their differences.

Shipping lanes and sideline diplomacy

The security of commercial shipping routes, regional stability across West Asia and the broader consequences of the Iran conflict are expected to feature heavily in both formal sessions and corridor conversations. Disruption to maritime trade carries significant implications for global energy prices and supply chains, giving the issue economic as well as security weight.

Among the most anticipated moments is a first in-person meeting between US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines. Such bilateral encounters often prove as consequential as the formal agenda, offering leaders a chance to address trade, defence and strategic alignment away from the full glare of the summit.

“The summit is an opportunity to reset cooperation amid deep global divisions.”

— French presidency briefing

The principal items expected to shape discussions in Évian include:

• The aftermath of the Iran war and stability across West Asia
• The security of commercial shipping routes and energy supplies
• Economic friction with China and concerns over global imbalances
• Trade disputes among the G7 members themselves
• Bilateral sideline meetings, including talks between Trump and Modi

A bloc divided on China and trade

With the bloc divided on trade and the response to Beijing, observers say the summit will test whether the G7 can present a united front at a moment of acute geopolitical strain. Disagreements over tariffs, industrial policy and the appropriate posture toward China have at times strained relations among the members, complicating efforts to issue strong joint statements.

Beijing's growing economic and technological weight, and concerns over trade practices and overcapacity in key industries, have become recurring themes at recent G7 gatherings. The decision to engage Chinese and other non-member representatives in pre-summit discussions reflects an acknowledgement that many of the challenges on the agenda cannot be addressed by the G7 alone.

Background: the G7 and its evolving role

The Group of Seven comprises the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Italy and Canada, with the European Union also participating. Formed decades ago as a forum for the world's leading industrial democracies to coordinate economic policy, it has since broadened its focus to encompass security, climate, technology and global health, even as the rise of other economies has prompted questions about its representativeness.

Recent summits have grappled with the war in Ukraine, energy security, artificial intelligence and the management of relations with China, reflecting a shift toward geopolitical competition. The inclusion of guest leaders has become a regular feature as the bloc seeks to extend its influence and engage the wider international community.

Analysts note that the value of summits such as this often lies less in formal communiqués than in the relationships built and recalibrated on the margins. With several invited guests present and a packed schedule of bilateral encounters, the Évian meeting offers leaders a rare opportunity to take stock of a fast-shifting international landscape in a single setting.

What happens next

Leaders are expected to issue a series of statements during the three-day meeting, with attention focused on whether they can bridge their differences on trade and China and agree a common line on the consequences of the Iran war. The outcome of the sideline diplomacy, particularly the Trump–Modi meeting, could shape bilateral relationships well beyond the summit. For France, success will be measured by whether the gathering projects unity and relevance at a time when the cohesion of the Western democracies is under sustained pressure.