Public friendliness, Chinese nuances and Brexit disputes flood the G7 menu

Joe Biden (Joe Biden) and Group of Seven (G7) leaders chatted up close on Cornwall beaches, and photos of grilled lobsters might not be the best advertisement for maintaining social distancing rules during a pandemic. But this beach picnic aims to convey another message: under the re-led leadership of the United States, the world’s leading Western democracies are reopening business.

After Donald Trump was president for four years, when the diplomatic propaganda contest was more likely to be a feature of the G7 summit than a comfortable outdoor dining, people collectively breathed a sigh of relief. “This is the first time they really get along in four years,” a British official said.

The enthusiasm for Biden is reflected in the friendly relationship between the President of the United States and the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, who walked on the white sands of Cabis Bay, holding each other with arms in arms. “The United States is back,” Biden said. Macron shot back: “Yes, absolutely.”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson played the role of host after Brexit, calling the three-day meeting “historic.” After the suspension of Trump’s term, the leaders of Johnson’s so-called “Democracy Eleven” reached a real consensus on global issues: the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the leaders of Australia, South Korea, and South Korea. Guest Africa. India’s Narendra Modi (Narendra Modi) almost attended the meeting.

In what seems to be marked The obvious shift to social democracy The Group of Seven nations from the world’s major capitalist economies supports Biden’s call to “meet the present and support the economy” by increasing spending; Johnson talked about the need to fight inequality.

However, while there is agreement on providing additional funding for vaccines in developing countries, plans to fight future epidemics, funding for girls’ education, and the need to provide funding for “clean, green” projects in the developing world, there are differences.

Biden said that he believes that this summit is a strong stance and development of the West towards China. The “democratic” alternative to China’s “One Belt One Road” initiativeWashington believes this is spreading Beijing’s influence on a global scale—including unsustainable debt and poor labor standards.

Biden told reporters after the summit: “I think you will see the simplicity and clarity of dealing with China.”

But even though White House officials stated that the focus of the first G7 meeting on Saturday was China, the UK tried to avoid using these terms to describe it, saying it was to “rebuild better” after the pandemic.

Johnson refused to mention China at the closing press conference. An EU diplomat stated that Johnson, Canada’s Justin Trudeau and Italy’s Mario Draghi believe that the focus of the G7 should be to provide active support to the West. , Instead of deliberately confronting China.

EU countries are keen to emphasize what they say is right Relations with Beijing“Our approach is that we need to cooperate with China on issues such as climate change, compete in areas such as global supply chains, and challenge China’s record in areas such as human rights,” said a European diplomat.

Johnson’s Recent review of British foreign policy Reflects the broader efforts of Europe to ride two horses at the same time: it talks about seeking “deeper trade links and more Chinese investment in the UK” while challenging China in other areas.

Biden declared that he was “satisfied” with the summit communiqué-officials agreed at 1:30 am on Sunday and mentioned China three times, including Human Rights Violation in XinjiangBut US officials insist that the West needs to take further steps to counter Xi Jinping’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative and provide financing for global infrastructure, not just green projects.

Even in what British officials call the “green belts and roads” plan, there is no new funding. Downing Street said that this is more to “adjust” the UK and other Western countries’ already made commitments to fund environmental projects in poor countries.

Johnson tried to use this summit as a moment for Britain to get rid of five years of introspection on Brexit and as the main convener to face the world. The Cabis Bay summit was only partially successful.

Like other large summer national events such as the 2012 Olympics or royal weddings, the UK has demonstrated its mastery of television programming and creating “feel good” events.

Against the backdrop of blue sky and white sand beaches, the leaders met Queen Elizabeth in a futuristic environmental park, while their partner and spouse were taken to the Cornish Clifftop Theater. The Red Arrows of the Royal Air Force spin above the barbecue grill on the beach. Compared with the recent G7 summit, this event was full of goodwill.

But Brexit continues to hinder Johnson’s attempts to shape a confident “calling” country to unite the world back together. Instead, the Prime Minister was embroiled in a war of words with Britain’s closest trading partner in Europe.

Before the summit, Biden urged Johnson to cool down Northern Ireland’s remarks.But the British Prime Minister Intensify -Enraged the French delegation.

His foreign secretary, Dominique Raab, accused the EU leaders of behaving as if Northern Ireland was “somewhat different from the United Kingdom.” The British EU Minister David Frost wore Union Jack socks to attend the meeting, while British officials pointed out that the Royal Navy ship HMS Tamar was the latest ship to the Channel Islands. Fishery dispute with France.

Johnson insisted in the closing press conference that Brexit was only a “minimal” part of the G7 discussions. The first face-to-face meeting between Western leaders in the past two years can be described as a “wonderful harmony.”

This is certainly not a repeat of G7 in 2018, when Trump denied the summit communiqué and called Justin Trudeau of the host Canada. “Weakness and dishonesty”But the leaders who flew out of Carbis Bay on Sunday left a lot of unfinished business.