1. I am not Trump
No more arguing, or prime ministers being pushed aside by the US leader. Instead, calm and cooperation. America wants to be a reliable ally again that rejoins the climate agreement, shows respect for NATO and with whom you can make deals. “America is back on the international stage,” Biden said in a speech. First lady Jill Biden had donned a jacket especially for the occasion with ‘love’ in large letters on the back. View the images here:
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2. It’s not all peace and quietvre
There are significant differences between the allies and the US. Like his predecessor Trump, Biden believes that European countries should spend more on defense and not expect America to be the policeman of the world. In addition, Biden wants, for example, that the patents on corona vaccines be released so that poor countries can produce them cheaply. That is something that Europe does not want.
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3. Tougher Against Russia
MH17, raids on other countries, cyber hacks, harboring ransomware criminals, meddling in the US presidential election, detention of opposition leader Navalny. This laundry list leads Biden to view Russian President Putin as “a killer,” someone who intends evil.
Yet there is a meeting. For Putin, it will be the fifth US president he will associate with. Between him and Trump it was a big hit. But Biden will take a tougher note. On the other hand, the US government is ceasing opposition to the construction of a gas pipeline from Russia to Europe.
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4. All arrows on China
Biden is shocked by China’s increasing power and influence worldwide, and says the free West must take a stand against an undemocratic country that locks citizens in camps. He thinks Europe is too weak, warns, for example, that purchasing the 5G telephony network from the Chinese Huawei is a security risk.
He also wants NATO to develop a policy in case China becomes more aggressive and takes Taiwan, for example. But the name NATO indicates that the alliance revolves around countries around the ‘North Atlantic’ ocean, so some member states are skeptical
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5. Fighting for Democracy
The American president puts all this in a broader context. He says that more and more people in the West are looking sympathetically at authoritarian regimes in China and Russia, a feeling of ‘at least they get something done’. Democratic countries must bridge their internal differences, Biden says, and show why it is important to live in a democracy where citizens have rights.
In his view, confidence can be restored by ending tax havens, strengthening the middle class in Western countries and really tackling the climate crisis now. And he promises that under his leadership, America will take the lead. But: what if in three years Trump becomes president again? The world has the idea that America is no longer so reliable.
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