Biden to assure allies, meet Putin during 1st overseas trip

WASHINGTON - Embarking on the first overseas trip of his term, President Joe Biden is eager to reassert the United States on the world stage, steadying European allies deeply shaken by his predecessor and pushing democracy as the only bulwark to rising forces of authoritarianism.

Biden has set the stakes for his eight-day trip in sweeping terms, believing the West must publicly demonstrate it can compete economically with China as the world emerges from the coronavirus pandemic.

Before boarding Air Force One for Wednesday's flight, Biden told reporters the trip is about making clear to the leaders of China and Russia that the United States and Europe "are tight."

https://www.startribune.com/biden-to-assure-allies-meet-putin-during-1st-overseas-trip/600066206/