Pool Reports of June 16, 2025

Out of town travel pool 1: Pool swept and schedule

Good morning from Kananaskis, Alberta, where the president is slated for a full first day of the G7 summit. The weather is a clear, chilly 43 degrees F.

The pool has been swept and is holding prior to heading to the summit site for Trump's first scheduled event, a 9am local time bilat with Canadian PM Mark Carney.

As a reminder, Kananaskis is on Mountain Time, two hours behind the East Coast (for consistency and so as not to tax your pooler's minimal math skills, these reports will use local time).

The complete guidance for the president's day is below:

MDT

5:00 AM Out-of-Town Travel Pool Call Time

9:00 AM THE PRESIDENT participates in a Bilateral Meeting with the Prime Minister of Canada

Kananaskis, Canada

Out-of-Town Travel Pool

10:00 AM THE PRESIDENT attends the Official Welcome

Kananaskis, Canada

Out-of-Town Travel Pool

10:30 AM THE PRESIDENT participates in Session I

Kananaskis, Canada

Restricted Out-of-Town Travel Pool

12:30 PM THE PRESIDENT participates in Session II

Kananaskis, Canada

Closed Press

2:45 PM THE PRESIDENT participates in Session III

Kananaskis, Canada

Restricted Out-of-Town Travel Pool

5:45 PM THE PRESIDENT participates in a G7 Family Photo

Kananaskis, Canada

Out-of-Town Travel Pool

6:15 PM THE PRESIDENT participates in Session IV

Kananaskis, Canada

Closed Press

9:00 PM THE PRESIDENT attends a Cultural Event

Kananaskis, Canada

Closed Press

Out of town travel pool 2: Gathering for bilat

After a roughly half hour drive through the mountains to Kananaskis Mountain Lodge and brief hold at the on-site media tent, pool is now heading to the 9am Trump-Carney bilat.

The leaders are expected to do a pool spray at the top of the meeting.

Out of town travel pool 3: Bilat participants

Pool is still holding, but in interim the WH sends along a list of participants for the Trump-Carney meeting.

Bilateral Participants:
United States

• The President
• T.H. Pete Hoekstra, Ambassador of the United States to Canada
• T.H. Secretary Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
• T.H. Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury
• T.H. Susie Wiles, Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff
• T.H. Stephen Miller, Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor
• T.H. Jamieson Greer, United States Trade Representative
• T.H. Kevin Hassett, Assistant to the President and Director of the National Economic Council
• T.H. Nels Nordquist, Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economic Policy (Notetaker)

Canada

• H.E. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
• Hon. Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy
• Hon. Marco Mendicino, Chief of Staff
• Kirsten Hillman, Ambassador of Canada to the United States
• Thomas Pitfield, Principal Secretary Braden Caley, Deputy Chief of Staff
• Tim Krupa, Director of Policy Lisa Jorgensen, Senior Advisor on Canada-U.S. Relations
• Scott Gilmore, Senior Advisor on Foreign, Defense, and Security Policy

Out of town travel pool 4: Trump-Carney and Merz and Starmer pull asides

Trump and Carney are currently meeting one on one, per press sec Karoline Leavitt. Pool is still holding outside. The meeting has been ongoing for roughly 10 minutes.

Some additions to the schedule, per Leavitt: Trump will do a private pull-aside with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz directly after meeting with Carney.

Trump is also now scheduled for a pull aside later this afternoon with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Out of town travel pool 4a: Clarifying Carney/Merz/Starmer timing

To clarify the chain of events: Trump currently meeting one on one with Carney. Then he will hold an expanded bilat with Carney with a pool spray expected at the top.

Directly afterward will be the pull aside one on one with Merz.

The WH also confirms Trump and Starmer are expected to meet at 2pm.

Out of town pool report 5: Trump-Carney bilat

The pool entered the room at 9:34, where Trump and Carney were standing alongside each other

Carney welcomed Trump to Canada and wished him a belated birthday, as well as acknowledged the US Army's birthday.

Trump then said they would be "talking about trade and many other things."

He also lamented that Russia is no longer part of the G7: "The G7 used to be the G8," he said, adding it was "a very big mistake" to exclude Russia and that keeping them in the group might have prevented the current war with Ukraine.

On what's holding up a trade deal with Canada: "We have different concepts, I have a tariff concept"

"l'm a tariff person"

"I think Mark has a more complex idea but also very good"

On if a trade deal with Canada is achievable within weeks: "Yeah, it's achievable"

On Iran wanting to deescalate: "They'd like to talk but they should've done that before"

"They have to make a deal and it's painful for both parties but I'd say Iran is not winning this war"

On the US getting involved militarily: "I don't want to talk about that "

Pool was ushered out at 9:42, more topics and quotes to come

Out of town travel pool 6: More Q&A

More on Russia and Putin no longer being part of the G7: "It was a big mistake. Obama didn't want him"

"This was a big mistake. You wouldn't have that war. You know you have your enemy at the table, I don't even consider, he wasn't really an enemy at that time. There was no concept--if I were president this war would have never happened."

"Putin speaks to me, he doesn't speak to anybody else because he was insulted when he got thrown out of the G8"

Trump also said it was "not a bad idea" to have China as part of the G7

On ICE targeting Democrat-run cities, Trump said Illinois Gov JB Pritzker was "probably the worst in the country" and claimed Chicago has been "overrun by criminals."

Also said of the violent immigrants he's targeted for deportation, "Most of those people are in the cities, all blue cities, all Democrat-run in cities, and they think they're going to use them to vote."

Carney cut off questions soon afterward, citing time constraints.

Out of town travel pool 7: Q&A otter

Full bilat Q&A here--some of it may be difficult to hear so please check all quotes against video
https://otter.ai/u/by8M6lCLDD9oZ_M9-z4E53KO6OQ

Out of town travel pool 8: Gathering for welcome ceremony

Pool is now gathering for the official G7 welcome ceremony

Out of town travel pool 9: Welcome ceremony begins

The official welcome ceremony began at 10:50am with Carney and his wife, Diana Fox Carney, taking the stage, where they began greeting the leaders individually, starting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Out of town travel pool 10: Trump-Carney welcome ceremony greeting

Trump walked out and greeted Carney at 10:58.

"Beautiful," Trump said of the ceremony site as he walked up. He then shook hands with Carney and his wife. The three then posed for a photo, with Trump in the middle. They all made brief small talk, but your pooler was out of earshot.

Trump ignored shouted questions about Israel-Iran and potentially sending more weapons to Israel as he walked off the stage.

The order of the leader greetings: von der Leyen, European Council President Costa, German Chancellor Merz, Japan PM Ishiba, UK Prime Minister Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Meloni and then Trump. French President Macron was the last leader on stage.

Asked earlier how his meeting with Trump went, Carney replied: "Fantastic."

Pool is now moving to the first multilateral session.

Out of town travel pool 11: Multilateral session

Pool entered the room at 11:05. Trump was seated to Carney's left around a large round table, and to the right of Starmer.

Carney gave welcome remarks, during which he referenced the G7's long history of collaboration on economic and security issues. Please check quotes against the video:

"We're meeting at one of those hinge moments, those turning points in history."

Carney singled out Trump for praise, complimenting him for recognizing that the world is changing and for "taking bold measures to address it."

"We might not agree on absolutely every issue but where we will cooperate we will make an enormous difference."

Pool was ushered out at the conclusion of Carney's remarks, about 11:10. Trump ignored shouted questions about Israel-Iran and what he hoped to accomplish in his meetings today.

Out of town travel pool 12: Multilateral otter

Otter for Carney's opening remarks: https://otter.ai/u/lqj-Z5WaNJtJ282c-ULsHS3Q1N0

Pool is headed back to our hold site--the next anticipated spray as of now is around 230pm.

Out of town travel pool 12a: Full Carney quote regarding Trump

Highlighting the fuller Carney quote during his opening remarks, during which he made specific reference to Trump:

"Nostalgia isn't a strategy. We have to change with the times and build a better world. And some of you, such as you, Mr. President, have anticipated these massive changes and are taking bold measures to address them."

Out of town travel pool 13: Gathering for Trump-Starmer bilat

The pool is now gathering for the Trump-Starmer bilat, which has now been opened up for a pool spray at the top.

On another note, during our hold, Stefan Kornelius, a spokesman for the German government, came by the media center and answered a few questions in English. Per co-pooler Geoff Earle:

-The Merz-Trump pull-aside included discussion of Ukraine and the Middle East

-On the potential for a joint statement on the Middle East: "The goal might be to have a joint declaration by the G7 here, because that would serve a purpose that would unfold some impact."

"We'll see in the end, it'll be up to the American side to decide whether we're going to have a G7 statement on the Middle East or not."

-On where the sticking points are among the G7 as a whole in those joint statement discussions: "I think it's in the end of the question of wording, and it has to serve all purposes."

Out of town travel pool 14: Trump-von der Leyen meeting

The WH sends along:

President Trump is sitting down for a 1v1 with the Commissioner of the European Union, at her request.

Out of town travel pool 15: Trump-Starmer remarks
[APP NOTE: This is the first of two reports numbered 15.]

Trump and UK PM Starmer, walking side by side, came out to meet the press assembled outside at 2:58.

Trump announced that they had signed an order on trade deal with the Uk that was earlier announced in the Oval Office: "We just signed it and it's done"

"The relationship that we have is fantastic"

Starmer called it a "really important day"

Trump then took questions:

Trump on if anything has changed in the agreement: "Not much"

Trump on if he's spoken to Netanyahu recently: "I've spoken to everybody"
"I gave iran 60 days and they said no, and the 61st you saw what happened"
"I think a deal will be signed or something will happen but a deal will be signed"

More on Iran: "I think Iran basically is at the negotiating table, they want to make a deal"

On whether he wants regime change in Iran: "I want to see no nuclear weapon in Iran"

Fuller quotes tk. The Q&A ended at 3:04

Out of town travel pool 15: More from Trump-Starmer bilat
[APP NOTE: This is the second of two reports numbered 15.]

Some more below in chronological order, but pulling out up top Trump's response to criticism from Tucker Carlson that the president is "complicit" in the Israel-Iran conflict: "I don't know what Tucker Carlson has said. Let him go get a television network and say it so that people listen."

At the beginning of their remarks, Trump opened a folder to show the press the order on the US-UK trade deal and several pages fell out and onto the ground. Starmer joked, "very important document" as he helped pick up some of the pages.

Trump also at one point called it a "trade agreement with the European Union." He called the agreement "a great deal for both, going to produce a lot of jobs, a lot of income." He also said that "we have many, many other ones coming" in reference to trade deals with other countries.

Starmer in his opening remarks said the agreement "implements on car tariffs and aerospace, and now a really important agreement, and so this is a very good day"

During the Q&A, Trump appeared to dismiss suggestions that Israel had attacked Iran to deliberately derail the U.S.'s nuclear talks by shaking his head.

On restarting US-Russia talks, Trump said "They're starting already"

On sanctioning Russia, Trump appeared skeptical still: "Sanctions cost us a lot of money. When I sanction countries, that costs the US a lot of money, a tremendous amount of money"

"You're talking about billions and billions of dollars, sanctions are not that easy, it's not just a one-way street"

On whether Israel can eliminate the nuclear threat in Iran without the help of the US: "It's irrelevant, something's going to happen"

On whether Trump would consider traveling to the Middle East to help broker a deal: "Yeah, but I think we're doing pretty well and we're talking. We have a thing called the telephone, so, we're talking."

On tariffs, whether Trump could guarantee the UK wouldn't be subject to future tariffs: "The UK is very well protected, you know why? Because I like him. That's their ultimate protection."

Trump also had warm words at the end for Starmer: "The prime minister's done a great job. I want to just tell that to the people of the United Kingdom, he's done a very, very good job."

As always please check quotes against the video. And another schedule change: The third multilateral session that was originally open to a restricted travel pool has now been changed to closed press.

Out of town travel pool 16: Detail on steel and aluminum in US-UK agreement

From the White House: With respect to steel and aluminum, Secretary Lutnick will determine a quota of products that can enter the United States without being subject to the 25% Section 232 tariffs.

Out of town travel pool 16a: Trump-Starmer otter

https://otter.ai/u/5o7slDvpyNAeruqdn8-RrlB4glw

Out of town travel pool 17: Text of order on US-UK trade agreement

The WH flags the full text of the order that Trump and Starmer announced earlier: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/implementing-the-general-terms-of-the-united-states-of-america-united-kingdom-economic-prosperity-deal/

Out of town travel pool 18: Loading for motorcade to family photo

The pool is loading into vans ahead of a short motorcade to Kananaskis Country Golf Course for the G7 family photo.

Out of town pool report 19: Trump returning to Washington

"President Trump will return to Washington tonight so he can attend to many important matters" - Karoline Leavitt

Out of town pool 20: Press sec tweet on Trump departure

More from Karoline Leavitt:
https://x.com/presssec/status/1934755141082861736?s=46&t=M9mt1Xfq58yAZ64nK8b2qw

Trump is still planning to participate in the family photo before departing for Washington. Pool will pass along any additional details as soon as we have them

Out of town pool 21: Rolling to family photo

The motorcade was rolling to Kananaskis Country Golf Club at 6:13pm

Out of town pool report 22: Golf club arrival

The motorcade arrived at the golf club at 6:25pm. Pool did not lay eyes on Trump on departure or arrival.

Out of town pool 23: Family photo and Trump speaks

Trump and the rest of the leaders walked out at 6:33 and took their places on the stage for the photo. Trump stood to Carney's left as Carney gave directions on which cameras to look at.

In response to shouted questions about why he's leaving early Trump said "I have to be back"

"You probably see what I see and I have to be back as soon as I can"

Trump said he thought the group had "got a lot done"

"I wish I could stay for tomorrow, but they understand"

As they were walking off the stage, Carney in response to a question about whether he'd been briefed on why Trump was leaving said he was "very grateful for the president's presence" and that "I fully understand."

Trump and other leaders are now headed to dinner, which is closed press. Pool is headed back to Calgary ahead of Trump's expected departure later tonight.

Out of town pool 23a: Otter of Trump remarks

Full recording courtesy co-pooler Geoff Earle: https://otter.ai/u/vZdCs26-Pr90y44iV-pHEY5fPwE

Out of town pool report 24: Rolling to airport

The pool is rolling from Calgary to the airport at 8:14, where we'll be meeting up with Trump and the rest of the motorcade

Out of town travel pool 25: Awaiting Trump arrival

Pool has been swept at the airport and is now awaiting Trump and the rest of the motorcade's arrival to AF1

Out of town travel pool 26: Trump arrival and wheels up

Marine One touched down at the Calgary airport at 11:01pm. After a short taxi the rest of the way toward AF1, Trump emerged at 11:06.

He walked straight to AF1, stopping briefly to acknowledge the pool and wave, but ignored shouted questions. Trump boarded AF1 at 11:07.

Susie Wiles, Marco Rubio and Walt Nauta were among those following him onto the plane. Wheels up shortly

Out of town travel pool 27: JBA arrival and Trump gaggle

AF1 was wheels down at 4:57pm ET.

During the flight, Trump came back and gaggled for roughly 12 minutes, touching on a number of topics. Highlights below and will send a full recording shortly:

On his reason for leaving the G7 early and Truth Social post criticizing French President Macron, Trump said: "I'm not looking for a ceasefire, we're looking at better than a ceasefire."

"I didn't say I was looking for a ceasefire. That was Emmanuel—nice guy but he doesn't get it right too often"

Asked what he was looking for specifically, he said "An end, a real end, not a ceasefire, a real end." He later referred to what he was looking for as a "complete give-up" by Iran.

Trump warned Iran against targeting U.S. assets, saying "we'll come down so hard, it'd be gloves off" in response.

"I think they're know not to touch our troops"

Trump said he was considering dispatching VP Vance and Steve Witkoff to meet with the Iranians but it "depends on what happens when I get back." He later said "I'm not too much in the mood to negotiate" with Iran.

Trump said he'd be in the situation room early Tuesday morning. As for why he's returned to DC, he said : "Just to be a little bit, I think, more well versed, not having to use telephones so much because I don't believe in telephones, because people like you listen to them"

"Being on the scene is much better, and we did everything I had to do at the G7," he continued.

On the G7 joint statement on the Middle East, Trump said he'd not yet seen it but had authorized staff "to say certain things. I don't know whether or not they said them correctly, but I think they probably did."

On trade:

Trump said he didn't feel the EU was offering a fair deal yet.

He said he'd had a "great conversation" with the Japanese prime minister, and there was "a chance" they would reach a deal.

Trump was complimentary of Canadian PM Carney, but expanded on his reference earlier to Carney's "complex" trade concept: "You get too complex on the deals and they never get done."

Finally, Trump was asked whether he'd called Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz following this week's shootings of two state politicians: "I don't really call him," Trump said. "I think the governor of Minnesota is so whacked out, I'm not calling him. Why would I call him?"

I could call him, say hi how are you doing? The guy doesn't have a clue, he's a mess."

"So I could be nice and call him but why waste time."

Out of town travel pool 28: JBA departure

Trump walked out and down the AF1 stairs at 5:09am. He turned and acknowledged the pool, giving a quick fist pump, before climbing into the Beast. The motorcade was rolling from JBA for the White House at 5:10am.

Handing off to the in-town pool. Special thanks to co-poolers Geoff Earle, Jennifer Jacobs, Josh Wingrove, Kit Maher and Anthony Zurcher, and the rest of the pool for all their help during this extremely long and eventful last 24 hours.

Out of town travel pool 28a: Trump gaggle otter

Otter for Trump's gaggle aboard AF1: https://otter.ai/u/EWJzKjM9CsFNF59lqaoCAnMOaqA