G7 summit sees France focus on environment as Donald Trump's aides slam 'niche' agenda
ABCSquabbles have erupted among G7 nations as leaders gathered for an annual summit, exposing sharp differences on global trade, Britain's exit from the EU and how to respond to the fires raging in the Amazon rainforest. Key points: Emmanuel Macron sets agenda for G7 on defending democracy, gender equality, education and the environment But European Council President says it is getting "increasingly" hard to find common ground Police use water cannons, tear gas to disperse protesters as G7 tackles divide on approach to Amazon fires French President Emmanuel Macron, the summit host, planned the three-day meeting in the Atlantic seaside resort of Biarritz as a chance to unite a group of wealthy countries that have struggled in recent years to speak with one voice. But two US officials said President Donald Trump's delegation was irked that Mr Macron had skewed the focus of the meeting to "niche issues" at the expense of the global economy, which many leaders worry is slowing sharply and at risk of slipping into recession. "I still hope that PM Johnson will not like to go down in history as Mr No Deal," said Tusk, who as council president leads the political direction of the 28-nation European Union. "I would say to our friends in the EU if they don't want a no-deal Brexit then we've got to get rid of the backstop from the treaty," Mr Johnson told reporters, referring to a protocol that, if it remained unchanged, would see a return to a hard border between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland after Brexit.