The G-7 summit that’s now underway in Japan will present a key moment for some of the strongest nations in the world to make critical decisions on global crises, even as Russia and China weren’t invited to attend.
“It will be critical for President [Biden] to leave Hiroshima with real deliverables, especially with Biden canceling his follow-on trip to PNG and Australia, a trip intended to show U.S. leadership in the Indo-Pacific region,” Kelly Ann Shaw, former G-7 Sherpa and deputy assistant to the president for international economics, told Fox News Digital.
“On China, this includes strong language backed by substantive commitments from the G-7 on Chinese economic coercion, military aggression and allied standards for the new economy, including AI,” Shaw, currently a Partner at Hogan Lovells, explained.
“On Russia, the G-7 should press for tougher sanctions, identify new economic pressure points and propose ways to mitigate the economic impact of Russia’s war on the rest of the globe.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin also faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for alleged involvement in the abduction of Ukrainian children, and Japan, as a member of the ICC, could take Putin into custody if he were to even step foot in the country.
Each year, the summit has a stated theme or goal. In 2021, the summit focused on “Build Back Better.” In 2022, the summit aimed to find “progress towards an equitable world.” This year’s summit has no singular focus, but will instead zero in on two key points — upholding international order based on the rule of law and outreach to the global south.
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Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, center, and his wife Akshata Murty, left, are greeted by officials upon arriving in Hiroshima after their visit to Tokyo ahead of the G-7 Summit May 18, 2023. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
The Japanese official argued that Russia’s aggression has “in many ways” impacted energy policy, prices and food issues in these countries.
“We want to show our solidarity with the global South as we respond to the Russian aggression,” he said.
“Everyone was concerned about China’s attempts to split the G-7, and they still are,” she added. “Right now, the stakes are too high for division, and Biden will need to show that he can unify allies, especially as his administration attempts to reestablish communication with China.”
Reuters contributed to this article.