By Canadian Press

Despite pandemic, Trump muses about resuming plan for in-person G7 meetings

May 20, 2020 | 8:53 AM

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump says he’s contemplating whether to resurrect plans to invite G7 leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, to a summit at the Camp David presidential retreat next month.

The U.S. president has tweeted about holding the meeting on or near the original June 10-12 timeline at the famous rural retreat, which is in Maryland about an hour’s drive north of the U.S. capital.

Trump says with the U.S. easing physical-distancing restrictions and reopening businesses, an in-person G7 meeting would send a signal to the world that life is gradually recovering from the COVID-19 crisis.

Asked about the idea, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says it’s important that G7 leaders keep the lines of communication open, whether on a virtual basis or in face-to-face meetings.

He says the federal government will connect with the Trump administration to discuss options.

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Security experts, however, say they are skeptical that world leaders would be willing to attend the meetings in person, given the ongoing threat posed by the novel coronavirus.  

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 20, 2020.

The Canadian Press