Macron Welcomes Trump at G7 Summit in Évian-les-Bains Amid Global Tensions
ÉVIAN-LES-BAINS, FRANCE June 15, 2026 — French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron formally welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump on the opening day of the 52nd G7 Summit, extending diplomatic courtesies despite a history of personal and policy frictions between the two leaders.
In a video posted to X by Macron, Trump is seen walking across a manicured lawn toward a blue stage adorned with large “G7 FRANCE” signage. Macron and Brigitte awaited him, shaking hands warmly before Macron greeted Trump with a kiss on the cheek—a traditional French custom. Brigitte also exchanged greetings with Trump. The brief caption read simply: “Welcome @POTUS.”
The summit, hosted by France in the Alpine resort town of Évian-les-Bains from June 15–17, brings together leaders from the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. Invited guests include representatives from Brazil, Egypt, India, Kenya, South Korea, Qatar, Syria, and Ukraine.
Key agenda items include the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, particularly following recent U.S. actions related to Iran, trade tensions, economic security, AI, energy, and global supply chains. Macron adjusted the schedule to accommodate Trump’s 80th birthday celebrations, and French officials have prepared incentives like a Versailles dinner to encourage full participation.
Trump arrived with momentum after announcing what he described as an agreement aimed at ending hostilities involving Iran, though the summit occurs against a backdrop of sharp differences on issues like tariffs, digital taxes, and multilateral approaches. Earlier reports noted Trump’s warnings of potential 100% tariffs on French wines over France’s digital services tax on U.S. tech firms.
Reactions on social media reflected the complicated relationship: some users recalled past tensions, including Trump’s previous comments about Macron, while others focused on broader geopolitical concerns. Diplomatic protocol prevailed on the ground, with bilateral meetings between Trump and Macron scheduled.
The G7 gathering comes as leaders navigate a complex international landscape, with Macron framing the agenda to foster cooperation while accommodating his high-profile guest. Further sessions and potential joint statements are expected over the coming days.
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