Trump looks to host G7 summit in U.S. despite pandemic
On Wednesday, President Trump said that he may try to host the annual G7 summit at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland. The summit was planned before COVID-19 concerns forced the White House to shift it into a virtual meeting, which is now scheduled for next month.
“Now that our Country is ‘Transitioning back to Greatness,’ I am considering rescheduling the G-7, on the same or similar date, in Washington, D.C., at the legendary Camp David,” Trump tweeted. “The other members are also beginning their COMEBACK. It would be a great sign to all – normalization!”
The G7 also includes Germany, Japan, France, Britain, Canada and Italy. Some question if the president’s idea is even logistically possible while most international travel remains on hold. A conference with so many world leaders would require hundreds of staffers and very tight security.
The White House said in a statement that the president had spoken to French President Emmanuel Macron, and told him, among other things, “that the United States looks forward to convening the G7 soon.”
Sources say that Mr. Macron is prepared to travel to Camp David as long as health conditions permit. Aides to Boris Johnson, the British prime minister, appear to be open to the idea as well.
Up until recently, the president has been focused on domestic policy, ad he has not left the country since February. The last foreign dignitary to visit the White House was in March.
It’s unclear how the rest of the G7 leaders feel about possibly traveling to the United States. So far, none of them have publicly spoken out against the idea.
“Determining whether these conversations take place in person or online rests with health experts,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters.
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