Talks at the G7 summit in Canada have failed to resolve deep differences between US President Donald Trump and leaders of major industrial nations.
The divisions were laid bare on Friday, notably over trade.Allies of the US are furious over Mr Trump’s recent decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, raising fears of a global trade war.
It is unclear whether a communique agreed by all will be released when the meeting concludes later on Saturday.
The two-day summit is being held in the town of La Malbaie, in Quebec province.
Mr Trump is due to leave early on Saturday to head to Singapore for a landmark meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
On 1 June, the US imposed a 25% tariff for steel and 10% for aluminum on imports from the EU, Canada, and Mexico. Mr Trump said the move would protect domestic producers that were vital to US security.
The EU then announced tariffs on US goods ranging from Harley-Davidson motorcycles to bourbon. Canada and Mexico are also planning retaliatory moves.
On Friday Canada’s foreign minister called the tariffs “illegal “. European Council President Donald Tusk said they threatened the “rules-based international order”.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May has said she wants the EU to act with restraint.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he believed all sides were willing to reach agreement.
What is the G7?
It is an annual summit bringing together Canada, the US, the UK, France, Italy, Japan and Germany, which represent more than 60% of global net worth between them.
Economics tops the agenda, although the meetings now always branch off to cover major global issues.
Russia was suspended from group in 2014 because of its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. On Friday, Mr Trump made a surprise call for Moscow to be readmitted, but German Chancellor Angela Merkel said other members were against the idea.
Meanwhile a meeting described as the alternative G7 is being held in China, with President Xi Jinping hosting counterparts from Russia, Iran, India, Pakistan, and four former Soviet central Asian republics.
The summit of the Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a regional security bloc led by China and Russia, is taking place in the eastern city of Qingdao. – BBC
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