G7 trade ministers are meeting in Paris on Tuesday and Wednesday under the French presidency to address critical minerals, small parcel tariffs, and industrial overcapacity. The gathering occurs as global trade faces disruption from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of the world's oil typically passes. France's junior trade minister Nicolas Forissier confirmed that fallout from the Middle East conflict will dominate an informal session on Tuesday. The US threat to increase tariffs on European cars and trucks will not be formally discussed at the summit, according to Forissier's office. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is expected to hold separate talks with EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and French officials Roland Lescure and Nicolas Forissier. Last summer, the US and EU agreed to cap US tariffs on EU autos and auto parts at 15 percent, below the 25 percent applied to other partners. In late March, EU lawmakers approved the deal with conditions, though member states have yet to ratify it. "Our position for the moment is not to overreact," said Forissier's office, adding that the issue will be discussed among EU members when needed, but not within the G7. The ministers will also examine the WTO's weakened role after failed negotiations in March and rising e-commerce challenges. Cross-border small parcel shipments, which often avoid customs duties, are seen as unfair competition for local retailers. The US has already ended its $800 de minimis threshold, and the EU plans to introduce a flat-rate duty on packages under 150 euros this summer. The G7 nations—Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States—will focus on four priorities, including securing supply chains for critical minerals used in chips and electric vehicle batteries. A proposed framework aims to link producing, processing, and consuming nations committed to fair practices. The G7 leaders' summit is set for June 15–17 in Evian, France.
France is hosting a G7 trade meeting meant to tackle global supply chains while sidestepping a direct response to US threats against European auto tariffs. The same ministers pushing for fair trade rules are allowing the US-EU auto deal to linger unratified despite its partial approval. Nigerians who rely on imported vehicles and electronics may face indirect price shifts if these unresolved policies trigger broader trade instability. The G7's selective agenda shows global trade rules are applied unevenly, even among allies.
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