- European Council President Donald Tusk declared this year's summit was "a difficult test of the unity and solidarity of the free world and its leaders," as countries faced issues including impending trade wars and global climate concerns.
- Despite the tensions, the leaders' spouses put on a relaxed display while touring a nearby village, where they enjoyed a stunning villa, wine tasting, and traditional performances.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
The wives of G7 world leaders enjoyed the best french wine, peppers, and traditional dances while their husbands were at the tense summit
World leaders gathered in southwest France for the G-7 Summit over the weekend, where they were slated for several closely watched meetings to examine major global issues.
g7 spouses
World leaders gathered in Biarritz, France for the G-7 Summit over the weekend to confront an array of global issues.
The annual summit is taking place this year amid an escalating trade war between the US and China , Britain's planned exit from the European Union , and fires that have devastated the Amazon rainforest in Brazil .
Despite the tensions surrounding the summit, first lady Melania Trump, French first lady Brigitte Macron, and other world leaders' wives put on a relaxed and united display during a tour of the Basque region, enjoying wine, lunch, and traditional performances.
ADVERTISEMENT
The first ladies traveled to the village of Epselette, which is situated in the Basque region in the southwest of the country.
BusinessInsider USA Images
THOMAS SAMSON/AFP/Getty Images
The spouses then had lunch at the Villa Arnaga, built by Edmond Rostand, the French playwright who wrote Cyrano de Bergerac.
BusinessInsider USA Images
ADVERTISEMENT
Regis Duvignau/Pool via REUTERS
The group included:
- Akie Abe, wife of Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
- Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron
- US first lady Melania Trump
- Chile's First Lady Cecilia Morel
- Jenny Morrison, the wife of Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison
- Malgorzata Tusk, wife of European Council President Donald Tusk
Macron, Trump, and Tusk were in the front row for a performance by traditional Basque dancers in the villa's garden.
BusinessInsider USA Images
ADVERTISEMENT
Regis Duvignau/Pool via REUTERS
Trump and Macron were side-by-side throughout the day, which marked their latest friendly appearance one year after Macron called Trump "really fun."
BusinessInsider USA Images
THOMAS SAMSON/AFP/Getty Images
Source: Business Insider
ADVERTISEMENT
The group also attended a traditional song performance in the stunning Saint-Etienne church, not far from the villa.
BusinessInsider USA Images
THOMAS SAMSON/AFP/Getty Images
Source: The Daily Mail
The spouses took to a field trip to see the region's famous "Piment d'Espelette," which are dried red peppers.
ADVERTISEMENT
BusinessInsider USA Images
Regis Duvignau/Pool via REUTERS
Source: Bon Appetit
The peppers were used in the G7 dinner held for leaders in nearby Biarritz the night before.
BusinessInsider USA Images
ADVERTISEMENT
Regis Duvignau/Pool via REUTERS
Source: The Associated Press
Espelette Mayor Jean-Marie Iputcha led the women on a tour through the village and they ducked into nearby shops and bakeries.
BusinessInsider USA Images
REGIS DUVIGNAU/AFP/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT
Source: The Daily Mail
The spouses made a stop to enjoy some French wine.
BusinessInsider USA Images
REGIS DUVIGNAU/AFP/Getty Images
In true French fashion, a wine expert sporting a beret led the women through a wine tasting.
ADVERTISEMENT
BusinessInsider USA Images
Regis Duvignau/Pool via REUTERS
Read more:
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also:
SEE ALSO: 33 photos show how Melania Trump has evolved as first lady
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: news@pulselive.co.ke
Recommended articles
African countries with the highest divorce rate
10 African cities with the highest crime index at the start of 2024
Machoka at 70: Emotions run high during Citizen TV presenter's birthday [Video]
Diwali 2022: Is Monday a public holiday in Kenya?
Akothee finally reveals reasons for separating from Omosh 1 month after wedding
Man, once a ‘billionaire’, recounts how he lost wealth, now sells his book on streets [Video]
Details of Ngina Kenyatta's luxurious restaurant
Zero Chills! Jackie Matubia's advice for Milly Chebby amid the unfollow drama