Despite pandemic, Trump muses about resuming plan for in-person G7 meetings

May 20, 2020 | 8:53 AM

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump says he’s contemplating whether to resurrect plans to invite G7 leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, to a summit at the Camp David presidential retreat next month.

The U.S. president has tweeted about holding the meeting on or near the original June 10-12 timeline at the famous rural retreat, which is in Maryland about an hour’s drive north of the U.S. capital.

Trump says with the U.S. easing physical-distancing restrictions and reopening businesses, an in-person G7 meeting would send a signal to the world that life is gradually recovering from the COVID-19 crisis.

Asked about the idea, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says it’s important that G7 leaders keep the lines of communication open, whether on a virtual basis or in face-to-face meetings.