President Biden, in his first presidential trip abroad, arrived in Europe on Wednesday with a daunting agenda: to reassure allies that the hostility of the Trump years was a momentary aberration in U.S. policy, coax them toward coordinated policies on Russia, China, climate change and the coronavirus, and then confront Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.

It would be a formidable set of challenges in the easiest of times. These are not those times.

Mr. Biden is fighting to pursue his domestic agenda, including a trillion-dollar infrastructure spending plan, with razor-thin Democratic control of Congress and determined Republican opposition. The United States is along the road to emerging from the pandemic and recession, but much of the world remains caught in their grip, and health experts warn that no country is safe from the coronavirus until every country is.

Mr. Biden traveled first to Cornwall, the southwestern tip of England, where the annual summit meeting of the Group of 7 large wealthy democracies is being held from Friday through Sunday. Since Thursday, he has also been holding one-on-one meetings with other G7 leaders, and on Sunday he will visit Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle. He will then meet with NATO officials and leaders from the European Union next week before finishing his whirlwind tour on Wednesday when he meets Mr. Putin in Geneva.

President Biden and President Emmanuel Macron of France had a bilateral meeting in Carbis Bay in the morning.

The Royal Air Force’s aerobatic team, the Red Arrows, performed over Carbis Bay.

Paddleboarders and surfers took part in a paddle out to raise awareness for climate action in Falmouth.

Queen Elizabeth and other members of the royal family joined the G7 leaders for a reception and dinner.

From left, President Charles Michel of the European Council, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, President Emmanuel Macron of France, Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain, President Biden, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, Prime Minister Mario Draghi of Italy and President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission.

Local residents watch President Biden’s motorcade go by on its way to Eden Park.

President Biden and the first lady, Dr. Jill Biden, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain and his wife, Carrie Johnson, in Carbis Bay, England.

Dr. Biden, center, visited the Connor Downs Academy in Hayle, England, with Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, right.

Floating balloons caricaturing Mr. Biden and Mr. Johnson in the harbor of Falmouth, England.

President Biden and the first lady, Dr. Jill Biden, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain and his wife, Carrie Johnson, in St. Ives, Cornwall.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken listening to Mr. Biden and Pfizer’s chief executive, Dr. Albert Bourla. The president announced that the United States would donate of 500 million Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine doses.

Mr. Biden met with Mr. Johnson at Carbis Bay in Cornwall before Friday’s Group of 7 summit.

Dr. Biden wore a jacket with the word “Love” on it.

The military police outside the Carbis Bay Hotel, where world leaders are gathering.

Mr. Biden and Mr. Johnson looked at a copy of the Atlantic Charter and historical photos during their meeting.

Mr. Biden and Dr. Biden at the airport in Cornwall.

Mr. Biden delivered remarks to U.S. military personnel and their families stationed at Royal Air Force Mildenhall in Britain.

“We have to end Covid-19, not just at home, which we’re doing, but everywhere,” Mr. Biden told United States troops.



Source link