President Donald Trump’s unexpected early departure from the 2025 G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, has stirred headlines, speculation, and even some diplomatic reshuffling. But the reason for his exit wasn’t political theater, it was global security.
According to the White House and multiple official statements, Trump left the summit Monday night, 24 hours ahead of schedule, due to the rapidly escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, which intensified over the weekend into what many are calling the most dangerous military flashpoint in the Middle East since 2006.
A Crisis in the Middle East Pulled Him Back to Washington
At the heart of Trump’s early departure was Israel’s extensive military strike on Iranian nuclear and military leadership targets, followed by Tehran’s launch of hundreds of ballistic missiles. The United States, caught between supporting its key regional ally and containing a broader war, repositioned aircraft and refueling tankers to the region in case of further escalation.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth immediately left for the White House Situation Room for emergency briefings. Trump, meanwhile, warned civilians on his social media platform to “immediately evacuate Tehran,” repeating that “IRAN CANNOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON.”
Trump: “Very Important, I Have to Be Back”
When pressed by reporters, Trump offered a characteristically vague but firm explanation:
“I have to be back. Very important. You probably see what I see, and I have to be back as soon as I can,” he said during a photo-op with fellow G7 leaders.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the host of this year’s summit, confirmed he was “grateful” for Trump’s presence and said, “I fully understand” the decision to leave early.
Missed Meetings: Ukraine and Mexico Left Hanging
Trump’s early exit meant canceling key bilateral talks scheduled for Tuesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, the latter would’ve been their first face-to-face since Sheinbaum took office.
Sheinbaum chose to stay in Canada and continue talks with European and Canadian leaders, releasing a statement expressing hope that the “situation in the Middle East doesn’t worsen.”
He Didn’t Leave Empty-Handed: A UK Trade Deal Was Signed
Before departing, Trump managed to finalize a trade agreement with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a deal expected to slash tariffs between the U.S. and U.K. Though steel tariffs were notably excluded, both leaders hailed the agreement as a win for jobs and exports.
The trade win gave Trump a diplomatic talking point, even as critics questioned the optics of his departure.
This Isn’t the First Time
In fact, Trump has a history of exiting G7 summits early. In 2018, he left the Quebec summit ahead of a planned session on environmental protection to prepare for his Singapore summit with Kim Jong Un. That time, he skipped the joint statement altogether.
This time, however, the stakes were far more urgent, with the threat of regional war in the Middle East looming large and the risk of U.S. entanglement growing by the hour.
What’s Next?
Trump has returned to Washington to meet with his national security team, while the Pentagon maintains what it calls a “defensive posture” across its bases in the region. There’s no word yet on whether the U.S. plans direct military involvement, but Trump continues to urge Tehran to negotiate, warning of “waste of human life” if it doesn’t.
Leo Cruz brings sharp insights into the world of politics, offering balanced reporting and analysis on the latest policies, elections, and global political events. With years of experience covering campaigns and interviewing world leaders, Leo ensures readers are always informed and engaged.
