G7 leaders side with Trump on countering terrorism, but don’t agree on much else

TAORMINA, ITALY— Donald Trump and his six fellow G7 leaders, who seemed to take up a lot less space next to the larger-than-life U.S. president, agreed Friday to do more to counter violent extremism but remained far apart on issues like climate change and free trade.

A statement, separate from the not-yet-complete final communique, said that while the G7 is already committed to the fight against terror- ism, Monday’s deadly attack in Manchester has driven home the need to step up efforts.

To that end, the leaders promised measures that included countering online terrorist propaganda and recruitment, better intelligencesharing to confront the threat of foreign fighters, increased co-operation among border agencies and working on social inclusion as a way to prevent radicalization.

There was, however, a long way to go before the leaders could arrive at a happy consensus on other issues.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau went into the meeting intending to champion the benefits of free trade and action on climate change at the summit, even with Trump trying ever harder to steer the world in a different direction.

Trudeau, meanwhile, was described by his foreign affairs minister, Chrys- tia Freeland, as seeking common ground among the seven leaders, while standing firmly behind Canada’s positions.

“We’re always going to be clear at these meetings that climate change is a hugely important issue,” Freeland said.

Trudeau, who met Friday with British Prime Minister Theresa May, has a face-to-face with Trump Saturday.