G7 finance chiefs push for consensus despite tariffs

G7 finance leaders played down their differences on Thursday, despite turmoil from US President Donald Trump’s wide-ranging tariffs, and sought common ground on Ukraine as talks in Canada entered the final hours.

- 

The Group of Seven advanced economies are expected to issue a joint statement at the end of their three-day gathering, a diplomatic source told AFP, but all eyes are on whether they can overcome tensions sparked by President Donald Trump's trade wars.

"The mood in the meetings was positive and constructive," EU economy chief Valdis Dombrovskis told AFP early Thursday.

He said officials made progress on many issues including the global economy, in addressing imbalances, but also with regards to a response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

"All in all in all, we are making good progress," added Dombrovskis, the European Union commissioner for the economy.

Leaders opened a final morning of talks early Thursday, with sessions on financial crimes and artificial intelligence on the agenda at the session, held in western Canada’s spectacular Banff National Park.

But tensions among the finance ministers and central bank governors from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States remained.