Biden began Sunday’s press conference by “showing America’s power and working with our allies and partners to make progress on issues that matter to all of us.”
“There is really no substitute for face-to-face discussions and dialogue between leaders to build agreement and cooperation,” he said.
It will be Biden’s first solo press conference since a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin was held in Geneva, Switzerland, in mid-June.
Biden’s engagement with journalists has been somewhat limited in this first leg of his journey through Europe.
The President heads to the United Nations Climate Summit in Glasgow, Scotland, next Monday.
global supply chain efforts
Earlier on Sunday, Biden signed an executive order aimed at streamlining stockpiling efforts as he seeks solutions to the supply chain logjam that took place during its final day in Rome for the Group of 20 summit. Was part of many efforts.
The order empowers the Pentagon to release materials from the national defense stockpile, which the White House says will allow a quicker response to supply shortages.
On Sunday, Biden also announced an increase in funding to boost international supply chain resilience, which he said would help the US and international partners “reduce port congestion by reducing red tape.” And he is instructing his state and commerce secretaries to convene a summit next year focused on the issue.
During an event on global supply chain resilience held at the G20 in Rome, Biden also called on countries to renew efforts to address supply issues, particularly those related to national security.
He told the group of world leaders at the event: “I urge all of you … consider increasing your reserves vital to national security in your countries. But like many of our challenges today, this is not a problem.” Our one nation can resolve with unilateral action. Coordination is important.”
Biden said the real way to solve supply constraints would be to end the coronavirus pandemic, arguing that it is “the ultimate key to unlocking the disruptions.”
The shortage of goods has become a political liability for Biden and is contributing to inflation. He convened a special session at the G20 to address the topic, where officials say he will ask individual countries to identify ways in which they can overcome the roadblocks.
Moody’s pointed to differences in how countries are fighting Covid-19, with China aiming for zero cases, while the United States is “more inclined to live with Covid-19 as an endemic disease.” ” The firm also cited a lack of “concrete global effort to ensure smooth operation” of logistics and transportation networks around the world.
meeting with Erdoan
Earlier on Sunday, Biden raised concerns over Turkey’s Russian missile system and human rights issues in a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the White House said, amid tensions between the two countries.
The two leaders met for about 55 minutes on the sidelines of the G20 summit to be held in Rome this year.
Turkey’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile system was strongly opposed by NATO and Washington, and signaled the deepening ties between Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Biden addressed these concerns directly with Erdoan, a White House statement from the meeting, underscoring his desire to “maintain constructive relationships, expand areas of cooperation, and effectively manage our disagreements.” “
A senior administration official told reporters after the meeting: “The president also raised human rights issues, saying that it is a set of issues – democracy, rule of law, human rights – that are important to him. And these There are issues that he and his administration will continue to raise.”
The White House said the two leaders also discussed regional issues including the political process in Syria, humanitarian aid to Afghans, elections in Libya, the situation in the eastern Mediterranean and diplomatic efforts in the South Caucasus.
On Sunday, Biden will also hold his first solo press conference in months.
Ahead of the meeting, Biden said he planned to have a “good conversation” standing by the Turkish president. Biden did not respond to reporters’ questions about whether he planned to raise human rights issues or whether he believed Turkey was too close to Russia.
Before the meeting, an administration official told reporters in Rome: “Certainly, the president will signal that we need to find a way to avoid further crises, and that prompt action will benefit the US-Turkey partnership.” Not going to happen and alliance.” The official said the two leaders are expected to discuss Libya and their defense ties.
Other Sunday Events
Biden has so far not attended two more informal events held for G20 leaders during this weekend’s summit in Rome.
The president did not attend a demonstration on Saturday night at Diocletian’s 1,700-year-old bathhouse, where most other leaders were believed to perform Puccini under stone arches. Instead, the president attended Mass at St. Patrick’s Church with the First Lady.
On Sunday morning, several G20 leaders gathered at the Trevi Fountain and threw coins over their shoulders. Biden skipped the event, as he was due to meet with Erdoan, who also did not attend.
In addition to bilateral talks with Erdogan, the President met with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore on Sunday afternoon, where the two leaders “reaffirmed the importance of the US-Singapore Strategic Partnership and opportunities to build on the momentum generated by Vice President Harris’ visit.” Reviewed. to Singapore in August,” according to the White House.
The White House statement said Biden expressed “our shared interests and desire to deepen cooperation with Singapore in pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific, including maintaining freedom of the seas and moving the supply chain forward.” Including increasing.”
According to the administration official, Biden also participated in two G20 sessions on climate and other sustainable development.
CNN’s Matt Egan and Kevin Liptak contributed to this report.
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