WH Travel Pool Report #3 More from Working Session

Hi all. Here is a report from the TV pool, courtesy of NBC News. NBC was in the room.

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In reverse chron order (most recent first)

President Trump arrived at 10:28am local as all of the other leaders were seated and the meeting had just begun. He stood at the head of the table as he walked to his seat and jokingly said, “I’m the boss.”

Trump then sat down and said to cameras “Would you like to stay for the meeting? It's ok with me,” but the French promptly escorted press out.

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All leaders had left the room as of 10:22am. They appeared to be doing some sort of gathering/photo op outside.

They all returned at 10:24am local. Sec. Bessent took POTUS’ seat at the table.

Macron began the session at 10:25am, saying “President Trump will arrive in a while” but they were going to start the session.

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French President Macron entered at 9:46amlocal. Japanese PM Takaichi entered at 9:49amlocal. The two chatted with the South Korean president. Macron walked out of the room.

Italian PM Meloni walked in at 9:51am and Indian PM Modi walked in a minute later.

As almost every leader mingled in the room awaiting Trump, the president just posted a Truth Social.

Macron has not yet returned as of 10:03am local and the other G7 leaders have also since left the room.

The leaders of South Korea and Brazil remain in a lengthy conversation.

Sec. Bessent has remained in the corner chatting with his counterparts from other nations.

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Kenyan President Ruto was the first leader to arrive. German Chancellor Merz was the first G7 leader to arrive at 9:31am local. He sat down and spoke with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva for a long time. Next of the G7 leaders to arrive was Canadian PM Carney.

Ursula von der Leyen walked in at 9:38am local and greeted President Ruto before walking over to Merz and Georgieva and joining their conversation. The three were joking about being on time to events.

European Council President Antonio Costa entered next.

Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent walked in at 9:41amlocal and took a seat at the back table.

Brazilian President Lula and UK PM Starmer each entered a moment later.

All of the leaders are up and mingling now. Bessent is standing at his seat alone on his phone.

No Trump, Macron, Takaichi or Meloni yet, as far as G7 leaders go.

Thanks,

Zolan Kanno-Youngs

The New York Times

Cell/WhatsApp/Signal: XXX-XXX-XXXX

@KannoYoungs