Trump will cap G7 summit with Macron's Versailles dinner marking 250 years of US independence
Donald Trump will attend a dinner at the Palace of Versailles on Wednesday, hosted by Emmanuel Macron to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence. The invitation follows three days of G7 meetings in Évian-les-Bains and is seen as an attempt to keep the American president through the full summit.
Schedule of the summit
Trump arrives in France on Monday for a bilateral meeting with Macron, an official reception, and a working dinner. On Tuesday, leaders hold a working session with Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski. Trump has separate meetings with the Emir of Qatar and the President of the UAE. A working lunch with G7 and Middle Eastern leaders is also planned. Wednesday brings bilaterals with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, plus a session on artificial intelligence with tech CEOs.
Versailles dinner and the independence anniversary
The Wednesday evening dinner at Versailles will commemorate the 250th anniversary of US independence. French officials describe the palace as a historic symbol of Franco-American friendship; it is where the 1783 treaty recognising US independence was signed.
The Palace of Versailles is a historic symbol of Franco-American friendship.
Macron previously hosted King Charles III and Queen Camilla there in 2021, and Russia's Vladimir Putin in 2017. The invitation, with its opulent setting, is also intended to ensure Trump does not repeat his early departure from last year's summit, which he left before the close over tensions with Iran.
Key agenda: Iran and Ukraine
Talks will cover the wars in Ukraine and Iran. The US is pushing to finalise an Iran war deal and has discussed plans for demining the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities pause. Britain and France have expressed interest in assisting with the demining.
The president will address issues of common importance with allies, including economic growth and development, supply chain resilience, illegal immigration and artificial intelligence.
Zelenski will attend as a guest, though no formal bilateral meeting with Trump is scheduled; the two may meet on the sidelines.
Syria's first G7 appearance
President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria will attend the summit, marking the country's first participation since the forum was created in 1975. A Syrian official told Reuters that discussions will focus on Syria as a potential strategic hub for supply chains following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Bilateral engagements
Beyond the G7 sessions, Trump will hold one-on-one talks with leaders of Qatar, the UAE, Egypt, and India. These meetings, alongside the dinner with Macron, underscore a diplomatic push across the Middle East and South Asia.
- Arrival in France; bilateral meeting with Macron, official reception, working dinner.
- Working session with Zelenski; meetings with Qatar and UAE; working lunch with Middle East leaders; demining discussions.
- Bilaterals with Egypt and India; AI session with tech CEOs; evening dinner at Versailles.
