Photograph by Jecsco Denzel
Before boarding the plane to leave this summit Trump threatened an all-out trade war.
It appears Economics 101 is a little beyond the intellectual reach of Donald Trump. Though I am certain one section of the Executive Office of the President of the United States, the Office of the United States Trade Representative, would at least have attempted to inform his senior staff that the economic loss to America in the type of trade war he is threatening would be in the trillions of dollars, with an accompanying reduction in consumer choice and a probable rise in unemployment.
44th G7 Communique
LA
MALBAIE, Quebec (Reuters) - 1. We, the Leaders of the G7, have come together in
Charlevoix, Quebec on June 8–9, 2018, guided by our shared values of freedom,
democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights and our commitment to
promote a rules-based international order. As advanced economies and leading
democracies, we share a fundamental commitment to investing in our citizens and
meeting their needs and to responding to global challenges. We collectively
affirm our strong determination to achieve a clean environment, clean air, and
clean water. We are resolved to work together in creating a healthy,
prosperous, sustainable and fair future for all.
Investing
in Growth that Works for Everyone
2.
We share the responsibility of working together to stimulate sustainable
economic growth that benefits everyone and in particular those most at risk of
being left behind. We welcome the contribution of technological change and
global integration to global economic recovery and increased job creation. The
global economic outlook continues to improve, but too few citizens have
benefited from that economic growth. While resilience against risk has improved
among emerging market economies, recent market movements remind us of potential
vulnerabilities. We will continue monitoring market developments and using all
policy tools to support strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth that
generates widespread prosperity. We reaffirm our existing exchange rate
commitments. We commit to promoting smart, sustainable and high-quality
investments – such as in infrastructure – to boost growth and productivity and
create quality jobs. Economic Growth is fundamental to raising living
standards. We also recognize that economic output alone is insufficient for
measuring success and acknowledge the importance of monitoring other societal
and economic indicators that measure prosperity and well-being. We are
committed to removing the barriers that keep our citizens, including women and
marginalized individuals, from participating fully in the global economy. We
endorse the Charlevoix Commitment on Equality and Economic Growth which
reinforces our commitment to eradicate poverty, advance gender equality, foster
income equality, ensure better access to financial resources and create decent
work and quality of life for all.
3.
In order to ensure that everyone pays their fair share, we will exchange
approaches and support international efforts to deliver fair, progressive,
effective and efficient tax systems. We will continue to fight tax evasion and
avoidance by promoting the global implementation of international standards and
addressing base erosion and profit shifting. The impacts of the digitalization
of the economy on the international tax system remain key outstanding issues.
We welcome the OECD interim report analyzing the impact of digitalization of
the economy on the international tax system. We are committed to work together
to seek a consensus based solution by 2020.
4.
We acknowledge that free, fair, and mutually beneficial trade and investment,
while creating reciprocal benefits, are key engines for growth and job
creation. We recommit to the conclusions on trade of the Hamburg G20 Summit, in
particular, we underline the crucial role of a rules-based international
trading system and continue to fight protectionism. We note the importance of
bilateral, regional and plurilateral agreements being open, transparent,
inclusive and WTO-consistent, and commit to working to ensure they complement
the multilateral trade agreements. We commit to modernize the WTO to make it
more fair as soon as possible. We strive to reduce tariff barriers, non-tariff
barriers and subsidies.
5.
We will work together to enforce existing international rules and develop new
rules where needed, to foster a truly level playing field, addressing in
particular non-market oriented policies and practices, and inadequate
protection of intellectual property rights such as forced technology transfer
or cyber enabled theft. We call for the start of negotiations – this year – to
develop stronger, international rules on market-distorting industrial subsidies
and trade distorting actions by state-owned enterprises. We also call on all
members of the Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity to fully and promptly
implement its recommendations. We stress the urgent need to avoid excess
capacity in other sectors such as aluminum and high technology. We call on the
International Working Group on Export Credits to develop a new set of
guidelines for government supported export credits, as soon as possible in
2019.
6.
To support growth and equal participation that benefits everyone, and ensure
our citizens lead healthy and productive lives, we commit to supporting strong,
sustainable health systems that promote access to quality and affordable
healthcare and to bringing greater attention to mental health. We support
efforts to promote and protect women’s and adolescents’ health and well-being
through evidence based healthcare and health information. We recognize the
World Health Organization’s vital role in health emergencies, including through
the Contingency Fund for Emergencies and the World Bank’s Pandemic Emergency
Financing Facility, and emphasize their need for further development and
continued and sustainable financing. We recommit to support our 76 partners to
strengthen their implementation of the International Health Regulations,
including through their development of costed national action plans and the use
of diverse sources of financing and multi-stakeholder resources. We will
prioritize and coordinate our global efforts to fight against antimicrobial
resistance, in a “one health” approach. We will accelerate our efforts to end
tuberculosis, and its resistant forms. We reconfirm our resolve to work with
partners to eradicate polio and effectively manage the post-polio transition.
We affirm our support for a successful replenishment of the Global Fund in
2019.
7.
Public finance, including official development assistance and domestic resource
mobilization, is necessary to work towards the achievement of the Sustainable
Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, but alone is insufficient to support the
economic growth and sustainable development necessary to lift all populations
from poverty. As a result, we have committed to the Charlevoix Commitment on
Innovative Financing for Development to promote economic growth in developing
economies and foster greater equality of opportunity within and between
countries. We will continue to invest in quality infrastructure with open
access. Given rising debt levels in Low Income Countries and the importance of
debt sustainability, we call for greater debt transparency not only from Low
Income Debtor countries, but also emerging sovereign lenders and private
creditors. We support the ongoing work of the Paris Club, as the principal
international forum for restructuring official bilateral debt, towards the
broader inclusion of emerging creditors. We recognize the value in development
and humanitarian assistance that promotes greater equality of opportunity, and
gender equality, and prioritizes the most vulnerable, and will continue to work
to develop innovative financing models to ensure that no one is left behind.
8.
We are resolved to ensure that all workers have access to the skills and
education necessary to adapt and prosper in the new world of work brought by
innovation through emerging technologies. We will promote innovation through a
culture of lifelong learning among current and future generations of workers.
We will expand market-driven training and education, particularly for girls and
women in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. We
recognize the need to remove barriers to women’s leadership and equal
opportunity to participate in all aspects of the labor market, including by
eliminating violence, discrimination and harassment within and beyond the
workplace. We will explore innovative new approaches to apprenticeship and
vocational learning, as well as opportunities to engage employers and improve
access to workplace training.
9.
We highlight the importance of working towards making social protection more
effective and efficient and creating quality work environments for workers,
including those in non-standard forms of work. Expanding communication and
collaboration between governments and businesses, social partners, educational
institutions and other relevant stakeholders will be essential for preparing
workers to adapt and thrive in the new world of work. To realize the benefits
of artificial intelligence (AI), we endorse the Charlevoix Common Vision for
the Future of Artificial Intelligence. We recognize that a human-centric
approach to AI has the potential to introduce new sources of economic growth,
bring significant benefits to our societies and help address some of our most
pressing challenges.
Advancing
Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment
10.
We recognize that gender equality is fundamental for the fulfillment of human
rights and is a social and economic imperative. However, gender inequality
persists despite decades of international commitments to eliminate these
differences. We will continue to work to remove barriers to women’s
participation and decision-making in social, economic and political spheres as
well as increase the opportunities for all to participate equally in all aspects
of the labor market. Our path forward will promote women’s full economic
participation through working to reduce the gender wage gap, supporting women
business leaders and entrepreneurs and recognizing the value of unpaid care
work.
11.
Equal access to quality education is vital to achieve the empowerment and equal
opportunity of girls and women, especially in developing contexts and countries
struggling with conflict. Through the Charlevoix Declaration on Quality
Education for Girls, Adolescent Girls and Women in Developing Countries, we
demonstrate our commitment to increase opportunities for at least 12 years of
safe and quality education for all and to dismantle the barriers to girls’ and
women’s quality education, particularly in emergencies and in conflict-affected
and fragile states. We recognize that marginalized girls, such as those with a
disability, face additional barriers in attaining access to education.
12.
Advancing gender equality and ending violence against girls and women benefits
all and is a shared responsibility in which everyone, including men and boys,
has a critical role to play. We endorse the Charlevoix Commitment to End Sexual
and Gender-Based Violence, Abuse and Harassment in Digital Contexts, and are
resolved to end all forms of sexual and gender-based violence. We strive for a
future where individuals’ human rights are equally protected both offline and
online; and where everyone has equal opportunity to participate in political,
social, economic and cultural endeavors.
Building
a More Peaceful and Secure World
13.
We share a responsibility to build a more peaceful and secure world,
recognizing that respect for human rights, the rule of law, and equality of
opportunity are necessary for lasting security and to enable economic growth
that works for everyone. The global security threats we face are complex and
evolving and we commit to working together to counter terrorism. We welcome the
outcome of the international conference on the fight against terrorist
financing held in Paris April 25-26, 2018. Foreign terrorist fighters must be
held accountable for their actions. We are committed to addressing the use of
the internet for terrorist purposes, including as a tool for recruitment,
training, propaganda and financing, and by working with partners such as the
Global Internet Forum for Counter Terrorism. We underscore the importance of
taking concrete measures to eradicate trafficking in persons, forced labor,
child labor and all forms of slavery, including modern slavery.
14.
Recognizing that countries that are more equal are also more stable, more
peaceful and more democratic, we are resolved to strengthen the implementation
of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. Gender-sensitive measures that
include women’s participation and perspectives to prevent and eradicate
terrorism are vital to effective and sustainable results, protection from
sexual and gender-based violence, and preventing other human rights abuses and
violations.
15.
We commit to take concerted action in responding to foreign actors who seek to
undermine our democratic societies and institutions, our electoral processes,
our sovereignty and our security as outlined in the Charlevoix Commitment on
Defending Democracy from Foreign Threats. We recognize that such threats,
particularly those originating from state actors, are not just threats to G7
nations, but to international peace and security and the rules-based
international order. We call on others to join us in addressing these growing
threats by increasing the resilience and security of our institutions,
economies and societies, and by taking concerted action to identify and hold to
account those who would do us harm.
16.
We continue to call on North Korea to completely, verifiably, and irreversibly
dismantle all of its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missiles
as well as its related programs and facilities. We acknowledge recent
developments, including North Korea’s announcement of a moratorium on nuclear
testing and ballistic missile launches, a commitment to denuclearization made
in the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration – assuming full implementation – and the
apparent closure of the Punggye-ri nuclear test site on May 24 but reiterate
the importance of full denuclearization. The dismantlement of all of its WMD
and ballistic missiles will lead to a more positive future for all people on
the Korean Peninsula and a chance of prosperity for the people of North Korea,
who have suffered for too long. However, more must be done and we call on all
states to maintain strong pressure, including through full implementation of
relevant UNSCRs, to urge North Korea to change its course and take decisive and
irreversible steps. In this context, we once again call upon North Korea to
respect the human rights of its people and resolve the abductions issue
immediately.
17.
We urge Russia to cease its destabilizing behavior, to undermine democratic
systems and its support of the Syrian regime. We condemn the attack using a
military grade nerve agent in Salisbury, United Kingdom. We share and agree
with the United Kingdom’s assessment that it is highly likely that the Russian
Federation was responsible for the attack, and that there is no plausible
alternative explanation. We urge Russia to live up to its international
obligations, as well as its responsibilities as a permanent member of the UN
Security Council, to uphold international peace and security. Notwithstanding,
we will continue to engage with Russia on addressing regional crises and global
challenges, where it is in our interests. We reiterate our condemnation of the
illegal annexation of Crimea and reaffirm our enduring support for Ukrainian
sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally
recognized borders. We maintain our commitment to assisting Ukraine in
implementing its ambitious and necessary reform agenda. We recall that the
continuation of sanctions is clearly linked to Russia’s failure to demonstrate
complete implementation of its commitments in the Minsk Agreements and respect
for Ukraine’s sovereignty and we fully support the efforts within the Normandy
Format and of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe for a
solution to the conflict in Eastern Ukraine. Should its actions so require, we
also stand ready to take further restrictive measures in order to increase
costs on Russia. We remain committed to support Russian civil society and to
engage and invest in people-to-people contact.
18.
We strongly condemn the murderous brutality of Daesh and its oppression of
civilian populations under its control. As an international community, we
remain committed to the eradication of Daesh and its hateful ideology. In Syria
we also condemn the repeated and morally reprehensible use of chemical weapons
by the Syrian regime and by Daesh. We call on the supporters of the regime to
ensure compliance with its obligation to declare and dismantle remaining
chemical weapons. We deplore the fact that Syria assumed the Presidency of the
Conference on Disarmament in May, given its consistent and flagrant disregard
of international non-proliferation norms and agreements. We reaffirm our
collective commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and call on all States
to support the upcoming Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
(OPCW) special Conference of States Parties and to work together to strengthen
the ability of the OPCW to promote the implementation of the Convention. We
call upon those who have yet to do so to join the International Partnership
Against the Use of Chemical Weapons. We call for credible, inclusive and
non-sectarian governance in Syria, facilitated by free and fair elections held
to the highest international standards of transparency and accountability, with
all Syrians, including members of the diaspora, eligible to participate.
19.
We remain concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas and
reiterate our strong opposition to any unilateral actions that could escalate
tensions and undermine regional stability and the international rules-based
order. We urge all parties to pursue demilitarization of disputed features. We
are committed to taking a strong stance against human rights abuse, human
trafficking, and corruption across the globe, especially as it impacts
vulnerable populations and we call upon the international community to take
strong action against these abuses all over the world. We welcome the recent
commitments made by Myanmar and we pledge to coordinate efforts to build
lasting peace and support democratic transition in Myanmar, particularly in the
context of the ongoing Rohingya crisis, to allow safe and unhindered
humanitarian access and the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of refugees
and displaced people. We are deeply concerned about the lack of respect for
human rights and basic democratic principles in Venezuela, as well as the
spiraling economic crisis and its humanitarian repercussions. We express our
concern at the continuous deterioration of the situation in Yemen and renew our
call for all parties to fully comply with international humanitarian law and
human rights law.
20.
Recognizing the threat Iran’s ballistic missile program poses to international
peace and security, we call upon Iran to refrain from launches of ballistic
missiles and all other activities which are inconsistent with UNSCR 2231 –
including all annexes – and destabilizing for the region, and cease proliferation
of missile technology. We are committed to permanently ensuring that Iran’s
nuclear program remains peaceful, in line
21.
We remain concerned about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, especially in the
light of recent events. We support the resumption without delay of substantive
peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians aimed at achieving a negotiated
solution that ensures the peace and security for both parties. We stress the
importance of addressing as soon as possible the dire and deteriorating
humanitarian and security situation in the Gaza strip.
22.
Africa’s security, stability, and sustainable development are high priorities
for us, and we reiterate our support for African-led initiatives, including at
a regional level. We reiterate our commitment to work in partnership with the
African continent, supporting the African Union Agenda 2063, to realize
Africa’s potential. We will promote African capabilities to better prevent,
respond to, and manage crisis and conflicts and to strengthen democratic
institutions. We reiterate our commitment to the stabilization, unity and
democracy of Libya, which is key for the stability of the Mediterranean region
and of Europe. We support the efforts of the Special Representative of the UNSG
Salamé in pursuing an inclusive political process founded on his Action Plan
and we encourage all Libyan and regional actors to uphold their constructive
engagement as outlined in the June 2018 UNSC Presidential statement. We support
the efforts of the Presidency Council and the GNA to consolidate State
institutions.
Working
Together on Climate Change, Oceans and Clean Energy
23.
A healthy planet and sustainable economic growth are mutually beneficial, and
therefore, we are pursuing global efforts towards a sustainable and resilient
future that creates jobs for our citizens. We firmly support the broad
participation and leadership of young people, girls and women in promoting
sustainable development. We collectively affirm our strong determination to
achieve a clean environment, clean air, clean water and healthy soil. We commit
to ongoing action to strengthen our collective energy security and demonstrate
leadership in ensuring that our energy systems continue to drive sustainable
economic growth. We recognize that each country may chart its own path to
achieving a low-emission future. We look forward to adopting a common set of
guidelines at UNFCCC COP 24.
24.
Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the European
Union reaffirm their strong commitment to implement the Paris Agreement,
through ambitious climate action, in particular through reducing emissions
while stimulating innovation, enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening and
financing resilience and reducing vulnerability, as well as ensuring a just
transition, including increasing efforts to mobilize climate finance from a
wide variety of sources. We discussed the key role of energy transitions
through the development of market based clean energy technologies and the
importance of carbon pricing, technology collaboration and innovation to
continue advancing economic growth and protect the environment as part of
sustainable, resilient and low-carbon energy systems, as well as financing
adaptive capacity. We reaffirm the commitment that we have made to our citizens
to reduce air and water pollution and our greenhouse gas emissions to reach a
global carbon-neutral economy over the course of the second half of the
century. We welcome the adoption by the UN General Assembly of a resolution
titled “Towards a Global Pact for the Environment” and look forward to the
presentation of a report by the Secretary-General in the next General Assembly.
25.
Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the European
Union will promote the fight against climate change through collaborative
partnerships and work with all relevant partners, in particular all levels of
government; local, Indigenous, remote coastal and small island communities; as
well as with the private sector, international organizations and civil society
to identify and assess policy gaps, needs and best practices. We recognize the
contribution of the One Planet conferences to this collective effort.
26.
The United States believes sustainable economic growth and development depends
on universal access to affordable and reliable energy resources. It commits to
ongoing action to strengthen the worlds’ collective energy security, including
through policies that facilitates open, diverse, transparent, liquid and secure
global markets for all energy sources. The United States will continue to
promote energy security and economic growth in a manner that improves the health
of the world’s oceans and environment, while increasing public-private
investments in energy infrastructure and technology that advances the ability
of countries to produce, transport, and use all available energy sources based
on each country’s national circumstances. The United States will endeavor to
work closely with other countries to help them access and use fossil fuels more
cleanly and efficiently and help deploy renewable and other clean energy
sources, given the importance of energy access and security in their Nationally
Determined Contributions. The United States believes in the key role of energy
transitions through the development of market-based clean energy technologies
and the importance of technology collaboration and innovation to continue
advancing economic growth and protect the environment as part of sustainable,
resilient, and clean energy systems. The United States reiterates its
commitment to advancing sustainable economic growth, and underscores the
importance of continued action to reduce air and water pollution.
27.
Recognizing that healthy oceans and seas directly support the livelihoods, food
security and economic prosperity of billions of people, we met with the heads
of state or government of the Argentina, Bangladesh, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya,
Marshall Islands, Norway, Rwanda (Chair of the African Union), Senegal,
Seychelles, South Africa, Vietnam, and the heads of the United Nations, the
International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development, to discuss concrete actions to protect the health
of marine environments and ensure a sustainable use of marine resources as part
of a renewed agenda to increase global biodiversity protection. We endorse the
Charlevoix Blueprint for Healthy Oceans, Seas and Resilient Coastal
Communities, and will improve oceans knowledge, promote sustainable oceans and
fisheries, support resilient coasts and coastal communities and address ocean
plastic waste and marine litter. Recognizing that plastics play an important
role in our economy and daily lives but that the current approach to producing,
using, managing and disposing of plastics and poses a significant threat to the
marine environment, to livelihoods and potentially to human health, we the Leaders
of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the European Union
endorse the G7 Ocean Plastics Charter.
Conclusion
28.
We share the responsibility of working together to stimulate sustainable
economic growth that benefits everyone, and, in particular, those most at risk
of being left behind. We would like to thank our citizens, civil society, the
Gender Equality Advisory Council, the Formal G7 Engagement Groups and other
partners for their meaningful input to Canada’s presidency. We welcome the
offer of the President of France to host our next Summit in 2019 and his pledge
to continue G7 leadership on our common agenda.
