President Biden is heading to India for the G20 summit, where he will emphasize the strength of America’s economy and work towards strengthening ties between the world’s largest economies. The president left Washington after testing negative for COVID-19 on Thursday.
There was uncertainty regarding Mr. Biden’s ability to make the trip, as First Lady Jill Biden tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. However, the president has undergone multiple COVID-19 tests since then, all of which have been negative. As of Wednesday afternoon, he showed no symptoms.
Mr. Biden will wear a mask indoors for 10 days following exposure and will be regularly tested, according to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. No contingency plans have been announced for the president in case he tests positive during his journey or in India.
During his time in India, the president will argue that the U.S. economy, especially its unemployment rate, has rebounded strongly after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Moreover, Mr. Biden is expected to advocate for increased international development in infrastructure in developing nations, in an effort to counter China’s influence in Africa and around the world. However, it remains unclear when he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as Xi is not attending the summit.
In addition, the president will continue his efforts to rally support for Ukraine despite Russia and China’s membership in the G20. The recent Russian air strikes on Kyiv, just before Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit, prompted condemnation from the White House. Jean-Pierre emphasized the need to support Ukraine against Russian aggression.
Secretary Blinken announced a $1 billion aid package for Ukraine during his visit, a move that Mr. Biden is likely to highlight as well.
The G20 summit provides an opportunity for Mr. Biden to engage in one-on-one meetings with world leaders and manage economic relations between countries, as well as advance global goals. The U.S. is advocating for the normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, two key players in the Middle East.
For President Biden, the summit in India is also a chance to boost his political standing, as his approval ratings have been struggling. The Biden campaign plans to run an ad during CBS’ “60 Minutes” in battleground states, highlighting the president’s leadership on the global stage.
The G20 consists of 19 nations and the European Union, which collectively account for approximately 85% of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
However, post-COVID-19, the American economic story is less positive for many American families. Polling by CBS and others indicates that a majority of Americans have a negative view of the economy, largely due to inflation outpacing wage growth.
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