U.S. President's Visit to Japan for G7 Leaders' Summit

Leaders from the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan, and the European Union are participating in the G7 summit of the world's major economic powers. Addressing China's economic actions and supporting Ukraine in its battle against Russian aggression will be at the center of the G7 discussions. According to Voice of America, Joe Biden, the President of the United States, arrived in Japan on Thursday, May 18, to participate in the G7 leaders' summit and met with Fumio Kishida, the Prime Minister of Japan, in Hiroshima, the site of the G7 negotiations, before the talks began. Biden told Kishida that the United States and Japan stand together for shared values, including support for Ukraine and holding Russia accountable for the war in Ukraine. He also emphasized the commitment to preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific: 'Mr. Prime Minister, the key point is that when our countries stand together, we will be stronger, and I believe the whole world will be safer.' Shortly after arriving in Japan and before meeting with Kishida, Biden visited the 'Iwakuni' airbase, where he met with a group of about 400 American and Japanese soldiers. This year's G7 summit will include leaders from the United States, Canada, France, Japan, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. The Prime Minister of Japan is also trying to engage with the 'Global South,' inviting a group of non-member countries to participate in this global summit. These countries include Australia, Brazil, Comoros, Cook Islands, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Ukraine, and Vietnam. Leaders are expected to discuss China's use of trade and investment restrictions and sanctions. Possible G7 actions include export controls and imposing restrictions on investments from these countries in China. Sullivan: G7 leaders will 'engage' with Zelensky at the Japan summit. The U.S. and the EU are countering China's 'non-market practices.' G7 leaders will impose sanctions on Russia's energy and trade sectors in Japan. The G7 expressed concern about the 'risk of illegal financial transactions' from Iran. The plan to reduce economic dependence on China; EU ministers support it. The G7 called for the extension of the grain export agreement from Ukraine.