Politico | Joe Biden’s message as he lands in Europe: America’s back
- President arrives in UK for eight-day trip to Europe to tackle Covid, taxes and trade
- US to buy 500 million coronavirus vaccine doses to share with the world
This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Anita Kumar on politico.com on June 9, 2021.
“At every point along the way, we are going to make it clear that the United States is back and the democracies of the world are standing together to tackle the toughest challenges and issues that matter most to our future,” Biden said.
Biden never mentioned his predecessor’s name in his first remarks on his eight-day trip late Wednesday. But he clearly tried to differentiate himself from Donald Trump’s isolationist approach that angered and shocked US allies over the course of four years.
“We’re committed to leading with strength, defending our values, delivering for our people,” Biden said. “America is better positioned to advance our national security and economic prosperity when we bring together like-minded nations to stand with us.”
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Biden said he and other world leaders will take action to combat the pandemic, curb climate change and protect themselves from “the growing threat of ransomware attacks … [and] the autocrats who are letting it happen”.
“There’s no wall high enough to keep us safe from this pandemic,” Biden said.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters Wednesday on Air Force One that Biden is sharing vaccines because it is helpful for the health of the US.
“As he said in his joint session (address), we were the ‘arsenal of democracy’ in World War II,” Sullivan said. “We’re going to be the ‘arsenal of vaccines’ over this next period to help end the pandemic.”
At Mildenhall, Biden seemed to enjoy the rousing applause from service members and spoke freely about his late son, Beau, who served in Iraq, and his uncle who was shot down over New Guinea in World War II. “At ease,” Biden said with a smile. “I keep forgetting I‘m president.”
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Mildenhall is home to the 100th Air Refuelling Wing, the only permanent US Air Force air refuelling wing in Europe. Inside a hanger adorned with US and British flags, a military band played. Outside, spectators had gathered for days to catch a glimpse of Air Force One as Biden arrived in the country.
“To all you airmen and soldiers, I wanna say thank you. We owe you,” Biden said before referring to his son. “We‘re so damned proud of you. So proud. And I only wish my major was here to thank you as well, thank you for everything that you do.”
First lady Jill Biden, who is accompanying her husband to the UK, spoke before him. The president was introduced by a 14-year-old whose parents both serve in the military.
“You are our ambassadors to the world,” the first lady said. “Thank you for representing us with dignity and pride.”
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Biden says China won't become ‘the most powerful country’ on his watch
Biden will spend the next four days at the Group of Seven gathering of world leaders. He will also hold talks with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and pay a brief visit to Queen Elizabeth.
He is expected to discuss a host of issues, including trade and taxes, before heading to Brussels to to confer with Nato and European Union leaders about security in the face of challenges from Russia and China.
What to expect on Biden’s first foreign trip as president
World leaders are eager to see how Biden will approach international issues as president in part because of the lack of emphasis on it during his first four-and-half months in office. Biden is expected to portray his vision as the opposite of Trump’s America First foreign policy, reconfirm his commitments to alliances, and emphasise that the steps he takes on the international stage will have a direct impact for average Americans back home.
“When President Biden returns to Washington next week, we believe that we will be in a materially stronger position to manage the major threats and challenges this country faces: Covid, climate, China, cyber, Russia, and shaping the rules of trade and technology for the future,” Sullivan said before the trip.
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