Concerns of recession characterize the G7 meeting

Macron invited his American counterpart Donald Trump to an unplanned lunch at the Hotel du Palais in Biarritz ahead of the G7 meeting in what was seen as an attempt to reduce tensions between the countries and get off to a good start. Just the day before, Trump had repeated the threat of imposing tariffs on French wines, as a countermeasure to France legislating a digital tax on US IT companies such as Google and Facebook.

To journalists, Macron said that Trump is "a very special guest" and that they would discuss a number of international issues, including the disputed nuclear energy deal with Iran.

But the G7 meeting is overshadowed by increased protectionism in the world and the introduction of trade tariffs. EU Permanent Council President Donald Tusk warned that Trump's escalated trade conflict with China and Europe could lead to a global economic downturn.

"The trade war leads to a recession while trade agreements strengthen the economy," he said.

Macron said his goal was to convince participants at the meeting that everyone is losing out on trade concerns. He promised to work for a recovery of the economy and called for, among other things, tax cuts to get the economy started.

"Especially when it comes to Europe, we need new measures to give the economy a fresh start," he said.

At the three-day meeting in Biarritz, the economic giants join the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, Italy and Canada. The EU also participates in the meeting as well as leaders from individual countries around the world invited by Macron.

Britain is represented by the new British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He expressed his concern about the escalating US-China trade conflict when he arrived at the meeting.

- Those who support customs risk being blamed for the downturn in the global economy. This is not the right way to go, he said.

Last year's G7 meeting in Canada ended with Donald Trump leaving the meeting in anger and refusing to sign a joint communiqué. Macron has therefore chosen to set the bar low and change the form of the meeting, among other things by demolishing the communication and inviting representatives from other countries and from civil society.

Trump has suggested that Russia should once again be one of the countries in the group, but it has been rejected by, among others, Germany, France and the UK as a result of Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.

In addition to the economy, the G7 meeting will be about the climate and measures to reduce forest fires in the Amazon, for example. The nuclear deal with Iran is another topical and contentious issue. In addition, Macron wants the leaders of the various countries to discuss issues of democracy, equality and education.