Joe Biden latest: President & G7 leaders slam China & demand ‘transparent’ probe into origins of coronavirus
-Was Joe Biden in the ?
-How does Joe Biden have and where are they?
-What is Joe Biden’s ?
PRESIDENT Joe Biden and the leaders of the G7 summit have denounced China and demanded a "transparent" investigation into the origins of coronavirus.
On the final day of the G7 summit, the leaders collectively urged for a probe into COVID.
"We will promote our values, including by calling on China to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially in relation to Xinjiang and those rights, freedoms and high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong enshrined in the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law," the leaders said, according to a communique.
They added: "We remain seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas and strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo and increase tensions."
The push for a probe comes after the director of the World Health Organization, Director-General , told the press Saturday night that while talk of vaccine sharing among leaders at the G7 summit is encouraging, "we need more, and we need them faster."
He said: "The challenge, I said to the G-7 leaders, was that to truly end the pandemic, our goal must be to vaccinate at least 70 percent of the world’s population by the time the G-7 meets again in Germany next year."
Read our Biden live blog below for the very latest news and updates...
NATO SUMMIT IN BRUSSELS BEGINS
NATO leaders gathered in Brussels, Beligum on Monday morning.
They are expected to agree that China presents a securtiy risk, the first time the alliance will have asserted that it needs to respond to Beijing's increasing power.
Ahead of the meeting, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan that China "will feature in the communique in a more robust way than we’ve ever seen before”.
DID BIDEN MAKE ANY GAFFES AT THE G7 SUMMMIT?
Biden and Dr Jill arrived in the UK on Wednesday, with the president making a speech at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk moments later.
The joked with army personnel that he kept “forgetting” he was president.
After running on stage, Biden began his speech by proclaiming “When I was 14…” before he became distracted by the standing crowd.
Biden then mistakenly referred to the RAF as the RFA in another gaffe.
He said: “These partnerships have hardened and have been hardened in the fire of war and generations of Americans and service members who fought them. Like those RFA pilots.”
BIDEN SIGNALLED IMPORTANCE OF PUTIN MEETING
President Joe Biden signalled the importance of the to G7 leaders on Sunday describing the current relationship between the two as at a historically “low point.”
“I think the best way to deal with this is for he and I to meet,” Mr Biden told reporters.
Afterwards, he said, “I will make it clear of how that meeting turned out,” as will Mr Putin.
QUEEN GRILLED BIDEN ABOUT PUTIN AND XI JINPING
President has said that the Queen asked about Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin during his visit to Windsor.
The alleged remarks come ahead of his showdown meeting with the Russian leader next week as he continues his European tour.
The President had been visiting Her Majesty with wife Jill this evening after attending the G7 summit in Cornwall.
During the chat with the 95-year-old over tea at Windsor Castle, Biden described how the pair spoke on a number of topics -including his relationship with Putin and Xi Jinping.
It comes despite the fact that it's frowned upon for people to reveal the contents of their private talks with the queen.
"She wanted to know what the two leaders that I - the one I'm about to meet with, Mr Putin, and she wanted to know about Xi Jinping," the president said.
WHAT DID JOHNSON AND BIDEN EXCHANGE?
The couples gave each other gifts, with Boris presenting the US President with a photo of Frederick Douglass.
Douglass was a former slave who campaigned against the practise in the 1800s.
The PM also gave Jill Biden a collection of short stories by Daphne du Maurier.
In return, the Bidens gave Boris an American-made bike and helmet, while Carrie received a tote bag and a scarf.
BIDEN CAUGHT IN OFF DUTY RUNNING SHOES AFTER G7
Joe and Jill Biden dressed down as they enjoyed a drink in Cornwall to unwind from the G7 summit.
At the pub, Jill wore jeans and trainers as she ordered a red wine – while husband Joe played it safe with a Coca-Cola.
The couple sat down next to BBC reporter Jon Sopel, who said he was surprised to see them.
He tweeted: “A first in my career @POTUS comes and sits down at table in a bar next to me and orders a drink. Am trying to act nonchalant #G7.”
DUCHESS KATE AND JILL BIDEN WORE PINK
The Duchess of Cambridge, 39, and the First Lady, 70, both matched in striking pink outfits as they met for the first time.
The women were pictured at Connor Downs Academy in Hayle, Cornwall to highlight the issue of early years development in children.
And during their visit, Kate told reporters how excited she is to meet Harry and Meghan’s baby daughter Lilibet Diana.
“I wish her all the very best, I can’t wait to meet her,” she said.
“We haven’t met her yet but hopefully that will be soon.”
PRESIDENT BIDEN AND THE FIRST LADY FIRST MET THE QUEEN ON FRIDAY
Mr and Mrs Biden for the first time on Friday when she attended a reception for G7 leaders at the Eden Project.
Both Mr and Mrs Biden, along with Emmanuel Macron, were left chuckling as Her Majesty cracked jokes during the event, asking them: "Are you supposed to be looking as if you're enjoying yourself?" as they posed for a photo.
Their latest meeting comes the day after the Queen received her official birthday gift from the nation's armed forces - a ceremony of pomp and pageantry in her honor - which was held at the castle.
BIDEN INVITED QUEEN TO WHITE HOUSE
President Joe Biden confirmed he's invited the Queen to the e.
"She said, 'What's it like in the White House?' I said, 'Well it's magnificent but it's a lot of people'," he explained.
It generally is frowned upon for anyone to reveal the contents of their private talks with the Queen.
'SHE REMINDED ME OF MY MOTHER'
President Joe Biden says the of his MOTHER - after taking tea with the monarch at Windsor.
Mr Biden - who is 78 to the Queen's 95 - visited Her Majesty with wife Jill this evening after attending the G7 summit in Cornwall.
After their meeting, Mr Biden told reporters: "I don't think she’d be insulted but she reminded me of my mother, the look of her and just the generosity."
And he said she'd asked about Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
DESANTIS SLAMMED BIDEN FOR LEAVING AMERICANS 'BEHIND'
Florida also slammed for leaving Americans "behind" as he works with European countries on the economic, health, and climate issues.
“They were talking economically a lot about other countries, [Biden] was talking about reducing energy production worldwide, and I couldn’t help but think, here in the United States, he’s leaving a lot of people behind," DeSantis said.
DeSantis suggested that Biden's "big-spending policies" are doing more for Europe than America.
"I think that his performance probably played well with European elites. Not sure that there was much in it for Middle America,” he added.
Since taking office, the Biden administration has thrown its efforts behind passing the and the American Families plan, which total over $4 trillion.
THATCHER POLITICAL CALLS BIDEN 'ARROGANT'
Nile Gardiner, director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for the Freedom and Heritage in DC, wrote in the that the formal warning was Biden’s “back of the queue” moment.
It was a reference to jibe in 2016 when he warned Brits that the UK would be at “the back of the queue” for a future trade deal if the country voted to leave the EU.
Mr. Gardiner said: “The arrogance of the Biden administration ahead of the G7 meeting in Cornwall has been nothing short of breathtaking. This is no way to treat America’s closest friend and ally.”
FLORIDA GOV RON DESANTIS SLAMS BIDEN FOR BEING 'PASSIVE'
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis , saying the president is weak on the global stage.
DeSantis' comments come as the president wraps up his first international trip attending the alongside other international leaders.
Appearing on , DeSantis suggested that Biden is "quite a contrast" from former President .
“I think that President Biden is someone that’s much more passive on the world stage, not nearly as assertive as somebody like Donald Trump was. I think his energy level is obviously much lower," DeSantis said.
"I think that’s just something that people are sizing up. I think that our adversaries are watching that," he added.
BIDEN SAYS US AND GERMAN TIES ARE “STRONGER THAN EVER”
President Joe Biden took to Twitter on Saturday afternoon to reveal his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel was “great.”
“The ties between our two nations are stronger than ever — and I’m excited to welcome her to the White House next month to continue our work,” Biden’s tweet read.
WHY IS THE G7 SUMMIT IN CORNWALL?
The summit is being held in the UK because it currently holds the presidency of the group.
The G7 summit is being held in the Cornwall village of Carbis Bay with the summit hosted at the Carbis Bay Hotel.
The Government says that Cornwall will “reap the benefits of hosting the G7” and will “provide the best of Cornish hospitality for leaders, delegates and the world’s media."
The region is also described as a “powerhouse for green innovation”.
WHAT DOES THE G7 DO?
The G7 meet every year for a summit to discuss pressing issues facing the world, such as international security and the global economy.
This year, climate change and the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic are expected to be top of the agenda.
In a statement ahead of the summit, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would urge his fellow G7 leaders to make concrete commitments to vaccinate the world.
'LET'S GET TO WORK'
President Biden said it was time to "get to work" as leaders gathered for the G7 summit in Cornwall.
"It's the first official day of the G7 summit here in the United Kingdom," he said.
"I'm looking forward to reinforcing our commitment to multilateralism and working with our allies and partners to build a more fair and inclusive global economy.
"Let's get to work."
WHAT IS THE G7 SUMMIT?
The G7 stands for the Group of Seven, which is an organization of leaders from some of the world’s largest economies.
The seven is comprised of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Russia was indefinitely suspended from the group – previously known as G8 – in 2014.
The suspension came after the majority of member countries allied against Putin’s annexation of Crimea.
BIDEN COMMEMORATED PRINCE PHILLIP IN SPEECH
“Today would have been Prince Philip’s 100th birthday,” he began. “I’ve had a good first full day here in the UK … Very productive meeting.”
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and husband to the Queen, died on April 9, 2021.
Biden said he “affirmed the special relationship between our people” with Boris Johnson.
TRUMP WISHED BIDEN ‘GOOD LUCK’ AHEAD OF PUTIN MEETING
Ahead of the high-stakes summit, Former President Donald Trump offered President Biden a message of “good luck.”
“Good luck to Biden in dealing with President Putin,” Trump said in a statement on Thursday.
He then cautioned the Commander-In-Chief, whom he dubbed “Sleepy Joe” before the 2020 election.
“Don’t fall asleep during the meeting, and please give him my warmest regards,” Trump said.
BIDEN AND JOHNSON EXCHANGED GIFTS
The G7 summit is President Joe Biden’s first overseas trip as US president. He met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday.
The couples also gave each other gifts, with Boris presenting the US President with a photo of abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
The PM also gave Jill Biden a collection of short stories by Daphne du Maurier.
In return, America’s First Family gave Boris an American-made bike and helmet, while Carrie received a tote bag and a scarf.
In a funny moment between the two leaders, Biden appeared to tell Boris “wait a minute” so he could greet the PM’s wife Carrie.
BIDEN AND MACRON SPOKE PRIVATELY
President Biden and French leader Emmanuel Macron shared a private exchange of words during their first in-person interaction at the G7 summit on Friday.
They will holf a more formal bilateral meeting on Saturday, the White House says.
“The Leaders discussed a range of regional and bilateral issues, including COVID-19 and counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel, and affirmed the importance of the U.S.-France partnership and the Transatlantic alliance,” a spokesperson told CNN.
“President Biden enjoyed a positive and productive first day of discussions at the G7, focused on ways we can collaborate to build a more inclusive and fair global economy.”
BIDEN TOUTS AMERICA’S ‘ARSENAL OF VACCINES’
Biden said, “as long as the virus rages elsewhere, there’s a risk of new mutations that could threaten our people.”
He pointed out that Covid weakens governments and noted that the key to going back to normal is vaccinating the people. He announced America would be the “arsenal of vaccines” and democracy.
Touting America’s efforts in the fight against Covid-19, Biden confirmed that the USA would donate 800million of their vaccine doses to “supply the world by the end of June.”
USA will buy half a billion doses from Pfizer to donate to 100 nations in dire need, Biden said.
Biden said the USA’s vaccine doses don’t include pressure for favors.
“That’s it. Period,” he said.
JOINT STATEMENT FROM BIDEN AND BORIS
President Biden visited the U.K. at the invitation of the Prime Minister and in advance of the G7 Summit.
They set out a global vision in a new Atlantic Charter and the main takeaways are below:
Key points:
- Democracy, human rights, and multilateralism
- Defense
- Science and technology
- Trade and prosperity
- Climate and nature
- Health
- Commitment to Northern Ireland
You can read their joint statement .