“I’m the boss,” US President Donald Trump declared as he entered the morning session on the final day of the three-day G7 summit, where other world leaders were already seated.
The remark, delivered in a light tone, triggered laughter in the room, with French President Emmanuel Macron appearing to take it in good humour. “How are you?” Macron asked.
“Good, thank you,” Trump replied before taking his seat. The former real estate mogul and television personality, known for hosting The Apprentice and its famous line “You’re fired!”, has long been associated with outspoken and theatrical public moments.
Trump’s presence has largely shaped discussions at the summit in the spa town of Evian, near Lake Geneva, coming shortly after he secured a deal aimed at ending the war with Iran and marked his 80th birthday.
French officials have reportedly been satisfied that the US president remained throughout the summit and agreed to the G7 communique, unlike a previous meeting in Canada where he left early.
In a notable diplomatic gesture, Macron has also invited Trump to dine at the Palace of Versailles outside Paris following the summit’s conclusion on Wednesday afternoon.
However, Macron has been keen to stress that the dinner will not be a formal “gala” event, amid scrutiny over his approach to the US leader.
