PARIS (AP) — Group of Seven ministers are gathering in France this week to try to find ambitious solutions to world security challenges, but two top American officials are skipping the meetings.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen will stay at home due to domestic duties.

Their absences at the Thursday-Saturday meetings in Paris and the Atlantic resort of Dinard raise questions about the G-7's relevance and effectiveness at solving international issues.

U.S. President Donald Trump has made his disdain for the G-7 no secret. But this week's absences signal that the Trump Administration has downgraded the group — which also includes France, Canada, Japan, Germany, Italy and the U.K. — in its list of priorities.