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President Trump calls for delay in G7 meeting, seeks expansion

The leaders of the world’s seven major economies were slated to meet in June in the U.S., but the coronavirus outbreak hobbled those plans.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Saturday he will postpone a meeting of Group of 7 nations until fall and called for an expansion of the group's membership because he considers it an outdated group that doesn't properly represent what's taking place in the world.

The G7 members are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Trump singled out Russia, Australia, South Korea and India as possible additions.

The leaders of the world’s major economies were slated to meet in June in the U.S., but the coronavirus outbreak hobbled those plans.

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned from Florida that he had not yet set a new date, but he said the gathering could take place in September around the time of the annual meeting of the United Nations. He also said it might wait until after the November election.

RELATED: Trump scraps plan to hold G-7 at his Miami golf resort amid intense criticism

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Earlier this month, Trump said he was again considering hosting an in-person G7 meeting because it would be a “great sign to all” of things returning to normal during the pandemic.

Credit: AP
President Donald Trump, with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Calif., speaks with reporters while in air en route to Andrews Air Force Base Saturday, May 30, 2020, in flight. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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