The second day of the G7 in Puglia opens with the «Migrations» session. Followed by the “Indo-Pacific and economic security” tables and the one which will also feature the Pope, dedicated to artificial intelligence. Bilaterals are expected with many heads of state invited to Borgo Egnazia, even if their countries are not part of the G7 group. Yesterday, June 13, the summit focused on the actions to be implemented in support of Ukraine and against Russia. There was also a face-to-face meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Joe Biden, with the signing of an agreement that commits the United States to providing assistance to Kiev in the security field for ten years. Today, Vladimir Putin declares that that agreement “has no value”. It is, says the Russian president, “only propaganda for Zelensky”. In the morning, another country enters the G7’s sights: China. According to rumors, the Sherpas included in the final draft of the summit an invitation to stop Beijing’s support for Moscow.
Regarding economic aspects, the heads of state gathered in Puglia criticize Chinese trade policies, since “they are leading to market distortions and overcapacity in growth rates, undermining our workers, industries, resilience and economic security”. Ursula von der Leyen, on the sidelines of the session on security, comments: «I am pleased that we agree to work on a shared assessment of China’s overcapacities. Despite denials, China produces more than all the G7 countries combined. Its industrial strategy is increasingly focused on pushing exports and this has increasingly worrying repercussions for the rest of the world. As the G7, we have an interest in ensuring that world markets operate fairly, without distortions.” The recent announcement on European duties to be imposed on Chinese electric vehicles must be seen in this scenario.
