Unusually for such a set-piece event, leaders made no effort to hide their divisions in Sicily’s ancient hilltop resort of Taormina. But discussions on that subject also hit stalemate because of differences with the US at what EU president Donald Tusk called “the most challenging G7 summit in years”. Trump rode to power on an “America First” platform but has yet to implement any significant protectionist measures, as the EU had feared he would. Trump has refused to commit the United States to extending sanctions imposed on Russia over its 2014 annexation of Crimea. Meeting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Sicily, Trump bullishly promised the problem posed by North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs “will be solved.” AFPAFP/CC

Source: Manila Times May 26, 2017 18:45 UTC