U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Suzanne Clark and the heads of the top business groups from the other G7 countries—known collectively as the B7—met on May 14-16 in Ottawa, Canada, to reaffirm close trade ties between Canada, Europe, Japan, and the United States. Organized under the theme of “Bolstering Economic Security and Resilience,” the B7 Summit conveyed a strong, pro-growth message to governments ahead of the G7 Summit to be held in Kananaskis, Canada, on June 15-17.
Sweeping tariffs and dramatic shifts in other government policies have introduced significant uncertainty across the global economy, the business leaders noted. Given that investments often unfold on timelines longer than the mandates voters extend to their elected leaders, the need for closer coordination between government policy and business decision-making is more critical than ever.
Reinforcing Resilience: At the summit, B7 participants worked to reach
consensus—including in a final communiqué—on major issues relating to economic security and resilience. The summit focused on four pro-growth policy goals, including:
More Growth, Fewer Tariffs: While the U.S. Chamber supports the Trump administration’s goal of economic growth and prosperity, applying broad-based tariffs on goods imported from our closest allies undercuts that mission. In comments during the summit, Clark emphasized the need to expand trade, not restrict it.
Clark also shared with other B7 leaders the Chamber’s advocacy strategy, including the organization’s call to swiftly conclude negotiations with major trading partners that will, in addition to addressing persistent trade barriers, terminate the novel tariffs imposed in the year to date.
For further information, please contact Senior Vice President for Global Institutions Gary Litman (glitman@uschamber.com).