[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Joe Biden has confirmed his commitment to supplying COVID-19 vaccines to countries facing difficulties. As the United States approaches normalization, it is returning to vaccine diplomacy, signaling that it will not stand by during the global pandemic.
On the 28th (local time), during his first joint address to Congress, President Biden said, "Just as the United States was the arsenal of democracy during World War II, we will be the vaccine arsenal for other countries."
President Biden also noted, "As our vaccine supply increases to meet our needs, we are meeting those needs," emphasizing that the U.S. vaccine situation is sufficient to support other countries.
This is a response to growing criticism of the U.S., which had been passive in vaccine donations while China was actively engaging in vaccine diplomacy.
Before President Biden's speech, the White House announced it would supply 20 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to India. This was the first support announced for a specific country after declaring it would provide 60 million doses overseas.
President Biden had said the day before that he was considering sending vaccines to support India, where COVID-19 cases are surging daily and reaching a critical point.
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