(Bari) When Joe Biden heads to the G7 Summit in Italy this week, the shadow of his predecessor Donald Trump will hang over his meetings with allied leaders, who do not necessarily have a flattering memory of the Republican president.
The vote, which will test the strength of democracy in the world’s leading power, is also a source of major doubts among its allies.
Joe Biden is well aware of this and does not hesitate to repeat it.
“At every major international meeting I attend, a leader takes me aside and says, ‘He can’t win, you can’t let him win,’” the 81-year-old president told Time magazine recently.
Among the main European allies, a general sigh of relief was heaved after the victory in 2020 of the Democrat, a fervent defender of the role of the United States in the world which emerged after the Second World War.
A vision that contrasts with that of Donald Trump and his somewhat chaotic approach with the G7.
Particularly in Canada in 2018, when the Republican president castigated Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, host of the summit, whom he described as “dishonest and weak”.
Donald Trump had also changed his mind and decided not to join the joint communiqué which traditionally closes these summits. What followed was a photo that went around the world: German Chancellor Angela Merkel leaning with her face closed over a seated Donald Trump, his arms crossed and a smirk on his face.
“I said, ‘America is back!’ “, explains the democrat before declaring that French President Emmanuel Macron would then have replied: “For how long? »
And with a presidential election in the United States that could be decided in a matter of time, the question returns, nagging, for this summit in Italy.
On the one hand, Joe Biden, who promises to support Ukraine against Russia, to maintain the solidity of international alliances in the face of the ambitions of Beijing and Moscow.
On the other hand, Donald Trump, who has said he would “encourage” Russia “to do what it wants” to NATO countries that are not paying their share, and who frequently praises dictators and autocrats.
Enough to cause concern in Europe.
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden would repeat the message he delivered in France at ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, that democracy is in danger.
“You heard the president talk about the importance of our alliances and our partnership, and how important it is that we fight for democracy and freedom,” she told reporters traveling with the president.
“So you will see the president at the G7 take another important opportunity to engage with our allies and partners,” she added.
Faced with the prospect of a new victory for Donald Trump, the G7 seems to want to protect itself against this possibility.
The plan would see the United States immediately advance $50 billion in loans, which would then be paid off with interest from those assets. The goal ? Avoid making smaller payments, over a longer period of time, which could be canceled by a Donald Trump returning to the White House.
A source with knowledge of the discussions said that the G7 countries wanted by this measure to “reduce the risk of deterioration (of aid to Kyiv) linked to the elections”.
The White House promised “announcements” on this subject at the G7 on Tuesday.
Before flying to Brindisi on Wednesday, he was present in France for the ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied Normandy landings.
For political scientists, Joe Biden will hammer home the same message at the G7 as in Normandy: Donald Trump is a danger, both in the United States and beyond.
The Democratic president is also keen to “demonstrate to European allies that the United States is an unwavering ally,” Peter Loge, professor of public relations at George Washington University, told AFP.
“This will be completely contrasted with Donald Trump, who has been convicted in court, and who by definition cannot be trusted,” he added.
