Angela Merkel declines invitation to the G7 in June in the United States

Angela Merkel refuses to go in person to the G7 summit organized by Trump in the United States in June. REUTERS / Peter Nicholls / Pool / File Photo

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Due to the coronavirus epidemic, the German chancellor has refused to attend the G7 summit to be held in Washington in June 2020, as proposed by US President Donald Trump.

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"  To date, given the general situation of the pandemic, she cannot accept participation in person, a trip to Washington,  " said a spokesman for the German government in Berlin, confirming information from the American media online. Politico, a spokesman for the German government confirmed to AFP on Saturday. "  The Federal Chancellor thanks President Trump for his invitation to the G7 summit,  " he added.

Angela Merkel, 65, is the first G7 leader (Japan, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy) to formally decline the invitation when the United States has more than 100,000 Covid-19 dead . Initial reactions had been cautious. French President Emmanuel Macron or that of the European Council, Charles Michel, said they were ready to participate "  if the sanitary conditions allow it  ". While Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stressed the importance of studying "  the recommendations of the experts  ".

Change of strategy

The White House had initially announced in mid-March that it was giving up, because of the epidemic, to reunite in person the heads of state and government of the G7 and preferred to stick to a format by videoconference. But last week, Donald Trump announced a summit to be held in June "  mostly at the White House,  " although some meetings could be held in the presidential residence of Camp David, in the neighboring state of Maryland.

The White House said on Friday that US President and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, himself a coronavirus survivor, spoke to each other and "  agreed on the importance of bringing together a G7 with leaders in person in the near future  ”.

As the presidential election of November 3 looms, Donald Trump hoped to make this summit the symbol of normalization and revival of activity.

(with AFP)

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  • G7
  • Germany
  • United States
  • Donald trump
  • Angela Merkel
  • Coronavirus

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