Biden stumbles through final international tour as President
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President Biden’s final major international trip has been marked by a series of awkward moments, including an unusual venture into the Amazon Rainforest and his notable absence from a G20 group photograph on Monday.
During his visits to Peru and Brazil for the G20 and APEC summits, Biden held extensive discussions with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. According to Chinese state media, Xi used the meeting to address Beijing’s non-negotiable positions, particularly regarding “democracy and human rights.”
BreakingšØ Joe Biden Disrespectfully misses a photo op with World Leaders at the G20 Summit.
They all walked off instead of waiting for him.
This is an Embarrassment to the United States and only helps BRICS more. pic.twitter.com/LkGbq0LU7L
— Joshua Jake (@itzjoshuajake) November 19, 2024
At the APEC summit, which unites Pacific Ocean nations, a notable diplomatic incident occurred when Biden was positioned in the back row of the traditional “family photo.” Video footage showed other leaders waiting as Biden arrived late, with Xi taking the central position alongside Peru’s President Boluarte and Chile’s President Boric.
The G20 summit in Brazil produced another photo-op mishap when Biden, along with Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau and Italian Prime Minister Meloni, missed the group photograph for the “Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty” initiative. Xi again claimed the center spot, joined by various leaders including former Brazilian President Rousseff.
“Yup, he’s right there … he’s behind the palm tree right now!” one reporter was heard exclaiming, as journalists searched for Biden’s whereabouts.
Biden officials attributed the missed photo to “logistical issues,” while defending the APEC arrangement as alphabetical, despite the traditional prominence given to U.S. presidents in such settings.
In Manaus, Brazil, Biden’s visit garnered attention when he announced $11 billion in annual U.S. climate financing before peculiarly wandering into the Amazon Rainforest, avoiding press questions.
The Xi-Biden meeting in Peru, while appearing cordial, revealed tensions. Chinese state media outlet Global Times reported Xi’s emphasis on four “red lines”: Taiwan sovereignty claims, China’s communist system, development policies, and human rights discussions.
Reporters absolutely panicking that Biden was missing from the G20 family photo op. Forget Trudeau for a sec, the fact that they went ahead without the US President because he was late, all while BRICS leaders take the centre of the stage is quite a disaster from the USā¦ pic.twitter.com/wlGCsUGgiL
— Shubhangi Sharma (@ItsShubhangi) November 19, 2024
The G20 summit’s conclusion has sparked concerns among diplomats about the incoming Trump administration’s potential impact on global initiatives. Brazilian President Lula’s agenda, focusing on climate finance, internet regulation, and wealth taxation, faces uncertainty.
“Lula knows that Trump’s election compromised the plan to elevate the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro under the presidency of Brazil,” wrote Josias de Souza for UOL. “Reducing the damage depends on Lula’s ability to act quickly to put the signatures of the world’s largest economies on a joint statement that translates into minimal consensus.”
