Away from the formal discussions on global conflicts and economic challenges, open microphones at the recent G7 Summit captured a series of candid and often humorous exchanges between world leaders, offering a rare glimpse into their informal interactions.
Meloni's Smoking Revelation and Leaders' Applause
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni revealed to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz that she had not smoked a cigarette since the first of May. This personal disclosure prompted immediate congratulations and applause from fellow leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and European Union officials. Carney lightened the mood further by jokingly asking if she had a nicotine patch.
Football Banter and a UFC Detour
Sports also dominated some informal chats. As leaders gathered for lunch overlooking Lake Geneva, conversations turned to the FIFA World Cup and recent football results. Shouts of "Allez les bleus!" supported France's national team, while another leader praised Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League victory. Starmer expressed surprise at Cape Verde's 0-0 draw against Spain. US President Donald Trump, however, shifted gears to mixed martial arts, enthusiastically discussing UFC president Dana White after a White House event.
Trump's Cryptic Greenland Remark
A brief exchange involving President Trump and European Council President António Costa sparked speculation. Trump was overheard saying, "You understand?" followed by "Greenland." The rest of the conversation was inaudible, but the comment drew attention due to Trump's past interest in acquiring the Danish autonomous territory.
Macron's Missing Watch and Summit Gifts
French President Emmanuel Macron's misplaced watch became a talking point when Canadian Prime Minister Carney noticed it had been left behind. "He's left his watch here. We've got his watch," Carney quipped, prompting Trump to jokingly request, "Give it to me if he left, gimme."
Summit diplomacy also included unique gifts. Macron presented each G7 leader with a personalized bicycle to promote the upcoming Cycling World Championships in France. German Chancellor Merz gifted Trump a German national football team jersey with his name and the number 47, a nod to his current presidential term.
The "Melodi" Moment and Geopolitical Arrangements
Another widely shared moment occurred when Prime Minister Meloni greeted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, referencing their viral "Melodi" trend. Meloni playfully stated, "Yes, we are the most famous on Instagram."
Not all hot mic moments were lighthearted. Macron was overheard discussing President Trump with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, offering to arrange a bilateral meeting between them before Zelenskyy's departure for Brussels.
Canadian Pitch on Chinese EVs
A final notable exchange captured Carney and Trump discussing Chinese electric vehicle imports. Carney explained Canada's arrangement to cap imports at "less than three per cent of our market, 49,000 cars," a measure he believed Trump would approve of. Trump's brief reply: "That's good, I like it."