G7 leaders make progress on trade, remain split on climate change

Diplomats said that on other key international issues there was broad G7 agreement

Leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy nations pledged on Saturday to fight protectionism, overcoming resistance from US President Donald Trump, who was elected on an “America first” agenda, diplomatic sources said.

However, the United States remained isolated from the other six G7 nations over climate change, demanding more time to decide whether to honour its commitments to reduce carbon emissions under the 2015 Paris Agreements.

Diplomats worked through the night trying to bridge the gap between the new US administration and its allies Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan on a number of barbed issues, including trade, the environment and