British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's bid to make his mark on the global stage hit a snag at this year's G7 summit in Évian-Les-Bains, France. A stark contrast to last year's gathering in Canada, where he and Donald Trump held an extended press conference to announce a trade deal, this year's session was marred by awkward interactions with world leaders. The 30-minute wait for his meeting with Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy to begin set the tone for a summit that would prove challenging for Starmer.
Despite efforts to project confidence, the Prime Minister's influence appeared to wane throughout the gathering. His interactions with world leaders were often awkward, and he struggled to make his mark on key issues. Aides attempted to downplay the significance of Starmer's conversations with Trump, suggesting that the two leaders had spoken on the phone and were engaging in productive discussions. However, the lack of a planned bilateral meeting between the two men was notable.
Starmer's relationships with key figures, including Trump and Zelenskyy, appeared strained. While he held a bilateral meeting with Zelenskyy, his interactions with Trump were limited to brief conversations. The Prime Minister's attempts to stress Britain's role in de-mining the Strait of Hormuz fell flat with Trump, who suggested that US involvement would require significant assistance from other countries.
One notable exception to Starmer's struggles at the summit was his ability to secure investments from French and Indian companies into British energy infrastructure and AI. The government claimed this would deliver over 1,000 jobs, but it remains unclear whether these deals will be enough to offset the Prime Minister's perceived lack of influence.
The G7 summit also served as a backdrop for a brewing leadership challenge within the Labour Party. With the outcome of the Makerfield byelection on Thursday still uncertain, Starmer's position is set to come under increasing scrutiny. Andy Burnham's potential election as MP could pave the way for him to mount a challenge against the Prime Minister.