Biden Heading to Europe: "Confirming Alliance Against China... Plans to Share Vaccines"

First 8-Day Tour Begins
Attempt to Restore European Alliance Against China and Russia

U.S. President Joe Biden raises his fist before boarding a private plane for his European tour.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Joe Biden, starting his first overseas trip since taking office, emphasized his determination to unite European allies against China. He also hinted at announcing a plan to share COVID-19 vaccines.

Before departing on the eight-day trip on the 9th (local time), President Biden told reporters, "The goal is to strengthen alliances and make it clear to Putin and China that the bond between Europe and the U.S. is strong and that the G7 will take action."

U.S. media expect that the joint declaration from the Group of Seven (G7), the European Union (EU), and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summits may include a coordinated response to China.

There is also speculation that the U.S. may call for an investigation into the theory that COVID-19 originated from a Chinese laboratory, which has been spreading recently in the U.S.

Attention is focused on whether issues such as human rights violations in Hong Kong and Xinjiang?areas China is wary of?the Taiwan issue, and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific will be raised.

President Biden mentioned regarding the vaccine sharing plan, "There is one announcement to be made."

CNN reported that President Biden will reassure allies about the U.S. role in vaccine distribution and will make an important announcement related to global vaccine production on the 10th.

During this trip, President Biden is expected to mend diplomatic and trade conflicts with European allies that arose during the Donald Trump administration.

According to a White House announcement, after meeting with U.S. troops stationed in the United Kingdom on the 9th, President Biden will move to Cornwall, where the G7 summit will be held. On the 10th, he will hold a summit with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and is expected to redefine relations with the UK, which has left the European Union. A meeting with Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom is also scheduled after the G7 summit.

From the 11th to the 13th, he will attend the G7 summit. This occasion is also expected to include bilateral talks with leaders of G7 countries and invited nations such as South Korea, Australia, South Africa, and India.

President Biden will then move to Brussels, Belgium, to attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit on the 14th and the U.S.-European Union (EU) summit on the 15th.

On the 16th, in Geneva, Switzerland, he will hold a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which is considered another "main event" of this trip.