What played out in that conference room was more than protocol; it was symbolism. As Ursula von der Leyen greeted Donald Trump with a restrained handshake before warmly embracing Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelensky, and Canada’s Mark Carney, the contrast felt deliberate. In a summit already strained by disagreements over Iran, Ukraine, and Middle East crises, body language spoke where communiqués stayed cautious.

Trump arrived projecting authority, yet briefly stood alone, scanning the room as others slipped easily into familiar, almost familial, gestures. While leaders publicly praised a “diplomatic breakthrough” and vowed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the cooler reception suggested deeper doubts about Washington’s reliability. The G7’s official statements stressed unity, stability, and shared responsibility. But that fleeting, awkward moment around the table hinted at a new reality: America is still at the center of the stage, but no longer always at the center of affection.