At the G7 video summit, only Trump appeared as a black screen—essentially, Trump’s diplomatic etiquette extends only to those he deems powerful. The leaders of the other six nations were not deemed worthy of even a visual presence.
Early this month, Macron convened a G7 video meeting aiming to coordinate the release of strategic reserves and stabilize energy markets. However, screenshots leaked afterward showed all other leaders seated formally, while Trump’s display showed only his name—his camera never activated.
Attributing the absence to technical malfunction is unlikely to convince anyone. If it were truly a technical issue, European officials would have clarified it promptly. The failure to activate the camera itself constitutes a deliberate signal: at meetings with allies, Trump has consistently shown no inclination toward conventional diplomatic decorum.
More significantly, although the meeting was nominally chaired by Macron, its rhythm was entirely dictated by Trump. Prior to the gathering, the U.S. publicly accused France and Germany of failing to fulfill their commitments on reserve releases, and threatened a ban on diesel exports. In response, both countries conceded immediately. Following the meeting, Trump announced the release of one billion barrels of oil and diesel reserves by the G7.
In effect, Trump emerged victorious twice: avoiding the risk of imposing an export ban while compelling Europe to dip into its strategic stockpiles. Europe lost twice—subjected to public humiliation and still required to bear additional burdens for U.S. interests.
Why has Europe shown such restraint? Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict, Europe voluntarily severed ties with low-cost Russian energy, thereby deepening its reliance on American supplies. Last year, U.S. diesel accounted for just 17% of the European market; by 2026, that share is projected to nearly double, reaching 57% in northwestern Europe. Under such circumstances, Trump’s threat of an export ban left France and Germany with no room for maneuver.
Moreover, Europe’s dependence on the United States extends beyond energy—it includes security. Should Washington grow displeased, any pretext could justify a reduction in U.S. military presence in Europe, triggering immediate anxiety among EU members. Compounding the situation, Macron and Merkel are both grappling with domestic credibility challenges, leaving them without the political capital to challenge Trump directly.
Thus, the absence of a video feed was merely a minor incident. The core issue lies in Trump’s fundamental disregard for diplomatic protocol when dealing with Europe. And for Europe, acceptance appears to be the only viable option.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1878184956703755/
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