ICC calls for G7 leadership to revitalise global trade system 

Hosted by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce under the theme “Bolstering Economic Security and Resiliency”, the B7 Summit was held in Ottawa from 14–16 May.

ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO featured as an executive spotlight speaker during the Summit where he urged G7 countries to demonstrate leadership in shaping the future of global trade.

“A strong, stable, and predictable multilateral trading system is essential, and leadership from the G7 community must drive this forward.”

ICC Secretary General, John W.H. Denton AO

“Revitalising the multilateral trading system should be on Page 1 of the Brief of Leaders going into the G7 Summit in Alberta next month,” he added.

Speaking on a keynote panel alongside Nikki Haley, former US Ambassador to the United Nations, Matthew Harrington, Global President and COO of Edelman, and Bianca Freedman, CEO of Edelman Canada, Mr Denton stressed the growing need for business to play a proactive leadership role in easing global tensions and highlighted ICC’s focus on advancing practical solutions to restore confidence in the global trading system.

“Without leadership, we risk drifting into a more fragmented global economy where uncertainty becomes the norm, and the basic safeguards of the trading system erode. That would be a loss not just for governments, but for businesses and communities everywhere that rely on open, stable markets to grow and prosper.”

Strengthening the voice of business globally

Throughout the B7 Summit, ICC representatives engaged in bilateral meetings with high-level officials, including the G7 Sherpa and Deputy Minister Cindy Termorshuizen, as well as with chamber leaders.  

The ICC International Court of Arbitration (ICA) and the ICC Digital Standards Initiative (DSI) were recognised in the final B7 Communiqué, which outlines the business community’s key policy proposals for G7 leaders. ICC was cited as a leading example of how to implement the B7’s Strategic Trade Coordination recommendations.

The B7 Summit culminated in the presentation of policy recommendations to the Canadian government ahead of the G7 Summit, scheduled to take place from  15-17 June in Kananaskis, Alberta.

The B7 serves as the official business engagement platform for the world’s seven largest advanced economies. ICC first participated in the B7 Summit in 2024, under Italy’s G7 Presidency. ICC is also a Network Partner to the B20 and continues to play a leading role in the G20 process, having been actively engaged since 2010.