G7 Debate On Climate Was Very Unsatisfying – Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said at the conclusion of a G7 summit in Sicily on Saturday that a debate between leaders over climate had been “very unsatisfying”, noting the United States had been totally isolated in its refusal to commit to the 2015 Paris climate agreement.

The summit of Group of Seven wealthy nations pitted US President Donald Trump against the leaders of Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Canada and Japan on several issues, with European diplomats frustrated at having to revisit questions they hoped were long settled.

Trump, who has previously called global warming a hoax, tweeted that he would make a decision next week on whether to back the 2015 Paris Agreement on curbing carbon emissions following lengthy discussions with G7 partners.

Merkel added that the debate over trade had also been “very tough” but expressed satisfaction that U.S. President Donald Trump had agreed to language in the final G7 communique that pledges to fight protectionism and commits to a rules-based international trade system.