Merkel says no to Trump’s in-person G7 summit plan
German Chancellor Angela Merkel will not attend an in-person summit of G7 leaders that US President Donald Trump has suggested he will host despite concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, a German government spokesman said on Saturday.
Leaders from the Group of Seven, which the United States heads this year, had been scheduled to meet by videoconference in late June after Covid-19 scuttled plans to gather in-person at Camp David, the US presidential retreat in the state of Maryland.
Trump last week indicated that he could hold the huge gathering after all, “primarily at the White House” but also potentially parts of it at Camp David.
Soon after Trump’s remarks, Merkel, a scientist by training, had suggested she had not yet made up her mind on whether to attend in person or by video conference, but on Saturday, her office told the DPA news agency she has now made a decision.
“As of today, considering the overall pandemic situation, she cannot agree to her personal participation, to a journey to Washington,” her office said. It added that the chancellor would continue to monitor the coronavirus situation in case things change.
“The federal chancellor thanks President Trump for his invitation to the G7 summit,” a spokesman said.
The 65-year-old chancellor is the oldest G7 leader after Trump, who is 73. Japan’s Shinzo Abe, also 65, is several months younger than Merkel. Their age puts them at higher risk from the coronavirus. The US is worst-hit by Covid-19 with more than 1,745,000 cases and over 102,000 deaths. Merkel is the first to give a firm no, while other world leaders have expressed vaguely positive responses.