Trump earns laughs as hot mics at G7 summit capture leaders discussing lighter topics
Hot mics at G7 capture world leaders' chats between weighty topics
The world leaders discussed everything from smoking to sport at the summit. (Reuters: Christian Hartmann)
In short:
Hot mics at the G7 summit revealed that conversations between world leaders often cover lighter topics.
The leaders of the world's richest democracies discussed sports, smoking and something about Greenland this week at the summit in France.
A lot of the hot mic moments involved US President Donald Trump as he earned several laughs from his counterparts.
If you've ever wondered what the leaders of the world's richest democracies talk about on the sidelines of the G7 summit, well, here's a rough idea.
Sports. Cigarettes. The weather. And something about Greenland.
As world leaders made their way into conference rooms at a lakeside resort in Évian-les-Bains, microphones caught plenty of off-the-cuff banter.
It turns out away from conversations about how to tackle some of the world's biggest problems, the group discusses much lighter topics, from giving up smoking to who's really the boss.
Here's what the mics picked up.
'I'm the boss'
US President Donald Trump strode in late on the final day of talks, and as he walked into the room, he proclaimed, "I'm the boss," to his counterparts seated around a large oval conference table.
Donald Trump earned a few laughs during the summit. (AP: Christian Hartmann/Pool)
The group was waiting to start a discussion about concerns that China is flooding export markets with subsidised products.
Mr Trump's comments earned him a laugh from the leaders, prompting a wry smile.
That wasn't the only laugh the US president picked up during the summit.
After French President Emmanuel Macron left his watch behind when he departed the group's working lunch on Tuesday, Mr Trump showed more of his comedic side.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney drew attention to the watch, saying: "He's [Macron] left his watch here. We've got his watch."
In response, Mr Trump said, "Give me it. If he left, gimme," drawing more laughs from the group.
Trump brings up Greenland
Staying on Mr Trump once again. This time, the US president was caught on a microphone talking with European Council President António Costa.
"You understand?" he said before pausing and looking squarely at Mr Costa.
Donald Trump spoke to European Council President Antonio Costa about Greenland. (AP: Christian Hartmann/Pool)
"Greenland," he said. Unfortunately, the start and end of the conversation were unclear.
European politicians have been outraged by Mr Trump's threats to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.
Italian leader quits smoking
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's smoking habits were the subject of a hot-mic moment at the summit.
Asked by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz if she had already had a cigarette that morning, Ms Meloni revealed that she hadn't smoked "since the first of May".
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shared that she has stopped smoking. (AP: Evelyn Hockstein/Pool)
Her turn against tobacco prompted enthusiastic congratulations from leaders of Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan and the European Union. Ms Meloni raised her hands in celebration.
Meanwhile, Mr Carney had a question for her.
"Do you have a patch?" the Canadian leader asked, grabbing his own arm.
On to sport talk
With the World Cup underway in the United States, Mexico and Canada, soccer naturally became a fallback of discussion.
As leaders gathered for lunch on Tuesday, Mr Macron and others weighed in.
Someone shouted, "Allez les bleus," the cheer for the French team.
Another leader can be heard discussing Paris-Saint-Germain's recent Champions League victory.
Mr Trump turned his attention to the UFC cage match event he hosted at the White House on Sunday.
He spoke glowingly of the CEO of UFC, Dana White, to anyone who would listen.
At another point during the day, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer effused about Cape Verde's surprise 0-0 draw against World Cup champion Spain.
"Quite remarkable, I have to say," he said.
Mr Merz, who recently sparred with Trump over the war in Iran, presented Mr Trump with a German national team soccer jersey bearing Trump's name and the number 47.
Mr Trump raised it and smiled bemusedly for a photo before setting it aside.
Donald Trump seemed bemused by the jersey he was gifted by Friedrich Merz. (AP: Thibault Camus/Pool)
Aside from the sport of hot mic moments, there were a few instances of gift-giving diplomacy.
Mr Macron gave all seven of his counterparts personalised bicycles to promote the Cycling World Championships scheduled next year in the French Alps.
There was no hot mic moment to capture Mr Trump's reaction, who is not known to bike and has joked about doing minimal exercise beyond regular golf outings.
ABC/Wires
