President Biden plans on Friday to reinforce the US commitment to engage with the international community during the G7 virtual meetings and the Munich Security Conference.
Biden’s plans include the announcement of an initial $ 2 billion grant to the World Health Organization’s COVAX program, which aims to distribute vaccines worldwide, government officials said. A subsequent donation would increase the total to $ 4 billion.
Speaking to world leaders, Biden plans to focus on the coronavirus pandemic, its global economic consequences and the climate crisis.
“Now he will have the opportunity, as President of the United States, at the beginning of his term, to declare that America is back and the transatlantic alliance is back, and is eager to take home the central proposal that the transatlantic alliance it is a cornerstone for Americans engaging in the world in the 21st century, just as it was in the 20th, “an official told reporters.
Also on Friday, the US will officially return to the Paris Climate Agreement. The United States previously suspended WHO withdrawal plans and an official said that Biden is likely to discuss the US’s return to the nuclear deal with Iran that was negotiated in 2015. All actions would mark reversals by the Trump administration.
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“We are looking forward to sitting down and listening to what the Iranians have to say that we want to reach a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear program,” said an official. “I think we have a way to go to return to nuclear diplomacy in a way that can put us on a positive path.”
“At the G7, the president is eager to reinforce his commitment to return the United States to multilateral engagement,” said the official, “and in particular to engagement with the world’s leading democracies and market economies on a common agenda.”
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On China, an official said the president did not want a confrontation.
“He is not looking for a new Cold War, but he expects fierce competition and welcomes it.”
The official said Biden believes the United States and other democracies “should work together to react against Chinese government practices and policies that are economically abusive and that go against our common values”.