Commentary

President Biden mumbled his way through a press conference in the UK Sunday with his usual stream of “uhm’s” and “a’s” as he was forced to follow prepared notes in the absence of a teleprompter.

He was again given a list of which journalists to call on during the Q&A, and when he strayed from it, he said he was going to get in trouble with staff.  When is he going to realize that he’s the president of the United States?

Of course, he indicated that he was successful in conveying that the United States had again returned to center stage and could be counted on to tackle global problems. “I felt a genuine sense of enthusiasm that America was back at the table and fully, fully engaged,” he said.

After citing the unsettling nature of President Trump’s relationship with the G-7 during the summit, I noted in reviewing the joint communique, that the group concluded that there was a revitalization of the G-7 partnership.

The document reads like a typical policy agreement boiler plate … blah, blah, blah … blah, blah blah.  It was obvious that the communique, which is drafted by a working group of individuals representing each member country, was heavily influenced by the U.S members.  The words “build(ing) back better” was broadly used throughout.

The introduction, for example, states: “United as open societies and economies and guided by our shared values of democracy, freedom, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, we commit to beating COVID-19 everywhere and building back better for all.”

And, does this sound familiar?  “We affirm that by investing in our people, tackling inequalities, including gender inequality, promoting dignity and championing freedoms, we will release innovation capable of tackling the great challenges of our time.  The advancement of gender equity and equality are a central pillar of our plans to build back better.”

There’s more.  “Recognizing the significant infrastructure needs across low and middle income countries – reflecting our shared values and shared vision – we will aim for a step change in our approach to infrastructure financing.”

That’s interesting.  Biden can’t even get agreement on an infrastructure plan for the United States.

“Working together and with others, and by building on and going beyond our existing action,” the communique states, “we will develop a partnership to build back better for the world ….”

As expected, discussions around the Paris Accord were designed to reaffirm their commitment to achieving zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, “the greatest economic opportunity our time to boost income, innovation, jobs, productivity and growth.”  Nothing new here.

Regarding that 15 percent tax proposal.  The communique stated, “we need a tax system that is fair across the world,” but it appears those discussions of a global minimum tax of a least 15 percent on a country-by-country basis “will continue” in an effort to reach consensus on a global agreement “that reverses the race to the bottom.”

In its conclusion, the group agreed to continue to collaborate this year and – curiously – under “future presidencies.”  “As we do so, we look forward to joining with others to ensure we build back better.”

Biden’s guys in the back room were able to insert building back better in the joint communique a number of times.

Now, it seems to me, that his work is cut out for him to make sure things are, in fact, built back better.  Can he deliver as did President Trump did with his promises kept to make America great again, with a long list of achievements?

Now, more than ever … may God continue to bless the United States of America.