Trump says his Miami golf resort a contender to host next G-7

President Trump said Monday that next year’s Group of Seven (G-7) summit will likely be held in Miami and that his Doral golf resort is a contender to host the annual meeting.

Trump also said there would be “no surprises” at next year’s G-7 summit, which is scheduled to take place in the United States, while speaking to reporters during a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the sidelines of this year’s summit in Biarritz, France. Trump said Miami would probably host the meeting because of the convenience of the airport.

{mosads}When asked by reporters if he would host the summit at Trump National Doral Miami, Trump indicated it was a strong possibility.

“They love the location of the hotel,” Trump said, noting its proximity to Miami International Airport.

“We haven’t found anything that’s even close to competing with it,” Trump continued. “Really, you can be there in a matter of minutes after you land.”

Trump also repeated his belief that Russia should be added to the summit. Trump first revived the idea last week, saying it would be appropriate to have Russian President Vladimir Putin there because the leaders often discuss issues related to his country.

Russia was expelled from the annual summit in 2014 over its annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and support of pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine. Merkel indicated on Monday that Moscow would need to help bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine before it is readmitted to the summit.

“We have to try to bring this forward in the next few months to come,” Merkel told reporters. “It’s a big problem, and there’s enough problems in the world.”

Trump arrived in Biarritz on Saturday to attend three days of meetings with leaders from the G-7 countries and formal sessions on global security challenges, economic issues, and other topics.

Trump met with Merkel and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi Monday morning. The summit is slated to end with a joint press conference later in the day.