G7 leaders agree on counterterrorism, but clash with Trump on climate, trade
TAORMINA, Italy — Donald Trump and his six fellow G7 leaders, who seemed to take up a lot less space next to the larger-than-life U.S. president, agreed Friday to do more to counter violent extremism, but remained far apart on issues like climate change and free trade.
A statement, separate from the not-yet-complete final communique, said that while the G7 is already committed to the fight against terrorism, Monday’s deadly attack in Manchester has driven home the need to step up efforts — and quickly.
“We will bring the fight against terrorism to a higher level by relentlessly preventing, investigating and prosecuting terrorist acts, their perpetrators and supporters,” said the text of a joint statement issued in the medieval Sicilian town of Taormina.
“Our shared system of values and norms, respect for human rights and cultural diversity, the promotion of fundamental freedoms and the principles on which our societies are built will remain a beacon for our common action and the first and best defence against this common threat.”