Published on 6/17/2026
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Last update: 13:53 (Mecca time)
The open microphones at the G7 summit revealed that the talks of the leaders of the world’s richest democracies were not limited only to pressing political, economic, security and international issues, but also covered lighter topics from the World Cup to smoking to the weather, and something about Greenland and the French president’s lost watch.
As world leaders headed into conference rooms at a lakeside resort, microphones set up for their serious discussions of war and trade picked up spontaneous conversations on those topics.
Meloni cigarette
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s smoking habit was the subject of a spontaneous conversation yesterday, Tuesday, when German Chancellor Friedrich Merz asked her if she had smoked a cigarette that morning. Meloni revealed that she had not smoked since the beginning of last May.
Her decision to quit tobacco was warmly congratulated by the leaders of Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan and the European Union, and Meloni raised her hands in celebration. Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had a question for her as he grabbed her arm: “Do you have a nicotine patch?”
Cheers to the blue
With the World Cup taking place in the United States, Mexico and Canada, football has naturally become a major topic of discussion.
As the leaders gathered for lunch, French President Emmanuel Macron and others gave their views on the tournament. Someone chanted, “Come on, Blue,” which is the chant directed at the French national team. Another captain can be heard talking about Paris Saint-Germain’s recent Champions League victory.
At another time, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the surprising scoreless draw between Cape Verde and Spain, the World Cup champion, saying, “I must say it is truly wonderful.”
Shirt 47
The German Chancellor – who recently entered into an argument with the US President over the war on Iran – presented Trump with a sports shirt for the German national football team bearing Trump’s name and number 47. Trump lifted the shirt, smiled to take a picture, and then put it aside.
Trump wrestling
The American President drew attention to the UFC wrestling tournament inside the cage, which he hosted at the White House last Sunday. Trump – who sat in the front row on his 80th birthday – praised the tournament’s CEO, Dana White.
Greenland
In another interesting moment, Trump was caught on microphone speaking with European Council President Antonio Costa. “Do you understand?” Trump said, before pausing and looking directly at Greenland’s Costa, but the beginning and end of the conversation were not clear.
Trump’s threats to annex Greenland – a semi-autonomous region of Denmark – have angered European politicians.
Macron watch
Later, Trump added some fun after Macron appeared to forget his watch while leaving a business lunch. Carney called attention to this, saying, “He left his watch here. His watch is with us.”
Trump jokingly added, “Give it to me if he forgot it, give it to me,” which sparked laughter from the audience.
Bicycles
Macron presented personal bicycles to all seven of his counterparts to promote the cycling world championships scheduled to be held next year in the French Alps, UCI president David Lapartienne said on social media.
There was no record of any reaction from Trump, a notorious non-cycler who has previously joked about getting minimal exercise other than regular rounds of golf.
