Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made headlines when he abruptly ended a press conference with U.S. President Donald Trump during the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada. This incident occurred as reporters pressed Trump on several contentious topics, including immigration policies, relations with Russia, and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
The press conference took place on June 16, 2025, just before the summit was set to begin. Carney, acting in his role as G7 chair, decided to cut the question-and-answer session short to allow time for the leaders to address important issues. "If you don’t mind, I’m going to exercise my role as G7 chair," Carney stated, emphasizing the need to start the meeting.
During the conference, Trump addressed questions regarding Russia’s exclusion from what was once the G8. He mentioned that the decision to suspend Russia’s membership in 2014, following the annexation of Crimea, was a mistake. Trump argued that having Russia at the table could have prevented ongoing conflicts, suggesting that the absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin complicates matters for the remaining leaders.
Trump also faced questions about his controversial stance on immigration, particularly his call for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to increase efforts to detain and deport illegal immigrants. He criticized President Biden’s immigration policies, claiming they allowed millions of people, including criminals, to enter the U.S. Trump asserted that many of these individuals reside in Democrat-run cities, which he believes could affect future elections.
The conversation shifted to the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, with Trump indicating that Iran might be seeking to de-escalate the situation. He mentioned receiving messages from Iran suggesting they want to talk, but he stressed that such discussions should have occurred earlier.
As the press conference wrapped up, Carney’s decision to end the session received a nod of approval from Trump. The leaders then prepared to discuss pressing issues at the summit, which included trade negotiations and international security challenges.
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and its allies, particularly regarding foreign policy and immigration, as leaders gather to address global challenges.