Thursday, January 29, 2026
ADVT 
National

Despite pandemic, Trump muses about resuming plan for in-person G7 meetings

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 20 May, 2020 07:23 PM
  • Despite pandemic, Trump muses about resuming plan for in-person G7 meetings

Donald Trump is contemplating whether to resurrect plans to host G7 leaders at the Camp David presidential retreat next month.

The U.S. president tweeted Wednesday about holding the meeting on or near the original June 10-12 timeline at the famous rural retreat, which is in Maryland about an hour's drive north of the U.S. capital.

"Now that our Country is 'Transitioning back to Greatness,' I am considering rescheduling the G7, on the same or similar date, in Washington, D.C., at the legendary Camp David," Trump wrote.

"The other members are also beginning their COMEBACK. It would be a great sign to all — normalization!"

With the U.S. scheduled to play host to the annual G7 this year, the administration's original plan to host the gathering at the Trump-owned Doral golf resort in Miami was abandoned last fall after critics accused the president of seeking to profit off the meeting.

But the subsequent plan to move the meeting to Camp David was initially thwarted by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed support Wednesday for the notion of G7 leaders sharing ideas, even if he was noncommittal about meeting in person. The group did gather for a videoconference call last month, he noted before suggesting science and prudence should determine the best course of action going forward.

"We're going to need to keep talking about not just how we get through this COVID-19 pandemic, but how we restore the global economy to its rightful activities," Trudeau said.

"We'll certainly take a look at what the U.S. is proposing as host of the G7 to see what kind of measures will be in place to keep people safe, what kind of recommendations the experts are giving in terms of how that might function."

Security experts, however, say it's hard to believe an in-person meeting in June would be feasible.

"I don't, nor do I think many other leaders would come," said Brett Bruen, a former diplomat and White House adviser under former president Barack Obama.

MORE National ARTICLES

3M pushes back on Trump administration order to stop sending N95 masks to Canada

WASHINGTON — One of the world's largest U.S.-based makers of consumer products says it has been told by the White House to stop exporting medical-grade face masks to the Canadian market.

3M pushes back on Trump administration order to stop sending N95 masks to Canada

Researchers look at humidity as a weapon in the fight against airborne viruses

The ongoing fight against the COVID-19 pandemic could get a boost if Canadians paid more attention to the relative humidity levels in public and private spaces, according to a growing body of international research.

Researchers look at humidity as a weapon in the fight against airborne viruses

Region of Peel 'accidentally' mails wrong COVID-19 test results to 16 people

BRAMPTON, Ont. — The Region of Peel in Ontario is apologizing after it "accidentally" mailed letters to 16 residents saying their COVID-19 test results were negative when, in fact, they were positive.

Region of Peel 'accidentally' mails wrong COVID-19 test results to 16 people

Canadians asked to wash mailboxes, keep dogs at bay, to ensure safe mail delivery

OTTAWA — The union representing Canada Post employees is asking Canadians to disinfect their mail boxes to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Canadians asked to wash mailboxes, keep dogs at bay, to ensure safe mail delivery

Fake test kits and other COVID online scams play on public anxiety: fraud centre

VANCOUVER — The new coronavirus has spawned an increase in online and telephone crime, targeting anxious Canadians who are self-isolating at home in front of their computers, experts say  

Fake test kits and other COVID online scams play on public anxiety: fraud centre

Vancouver home sales up 46% in March, but show signs of slowing due to outbreak

Vancouver home sales up 46% in March, but show signs of slowing due to outbreak
VANCOUVER — The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says home sales started off strong in March but tapered as the COVID-19 outbreak intensified.  

Vancouver home sales up 46% in March, but show signs of slowing due to outbreak