[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] U.S. President Joe Biden will deliver his first State of the Union address since taking office on the 1st (local time). The speech is expected to place significant emphasis on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and Oksana Markarova, the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States, is scheduled to attend as a special guest.
The White House announced that Ambassador Markarova will be seated near First Lady Jill Biden, who invited her, to listen to President Biden's speech. It is customary to invite special guests to the President's State of the Union address, held annually at a joint session of Congress. Considering this, the invitation extended to Ambassador Markarova is interpreted as a gesture of solidarity with Ukraine in response to Russia's invasion.
The State of the Union address, starting at 9 p.m. Eastern Time (11 a.m. Korean time on the 2nd), is expected to primarily cover the Ukraine invasion, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the economic situation. Initially, a significant portion of the speech was anticipated to focus on the economy, but with the outbreak of the Ukraine war, the focus has shifted toward foreign affairs.
During the address, President Biden is expected to strongly condemn Russia's invasion while emphasizing the administration's efforts to minimize its impact on the world and the United States. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki explained in a briefing that "he will talk about military and economic support for Ukraine, as well as measures taken in coordination with allies to impose sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin, his associates, and the Russian economy."
The economic sector will also be addressed. The United States is grappling with inflation reaching its highest level in 40 years. President Biden is expected to repeatedly mention supply chain issues and the pandemic as the background for inflation while stating efforts to reduce it. In particular, plans to increase production of American-made products, strengthen supply chains, lower consumer goods prices, and expand high-wage jobs are expected to be unveiled to curb inflation.
Additionally, the Biden administration is expected to urge the passage of the "Build Back Better" bill, a key initiative aimed at expanding the United States' physical and human infrastructure.
Among the guests invited to the speech are Frances Haugen, a whistleblower from social media giant Facebook, and Pat Gelsinger, CEO of Intel. Also invited were steel union workers, nurses, educators, indigenous activists, and military spouses. A seventh-grade student who has been active in diabetes-related advocacy was also included. The White House explained, "They were invited as representatives of the policies or topics President Biden will address in his speech."
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