Biden’s Absence and Mounting Challenges Test G-7 Unity and U.S. Leadership

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From left, Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, U.S. President Joe Biden, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz befor the G7 leaders' group photo during a NATO summit in Brussels, Thursday March 24, 2022. (Henry Nicholls/Pool via AP)

The upcoming G-7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, is set to be a critical test for the unity of the group and the leadership of the United States under President Joe Biden. However, Biden’s absence from part of the summit due to the ongoing struggle in Washington over the debt ceiling has raised concerns among other leaders. As the U.S. faces domestic challenges, including the need to strike a deal with the Republican House majority, fears of a historic default and its impact on the global economy have cast a shadow over the summit. This article examines the implications of Biden’s absence and the mounting challenges faced by the G-7, particularly in relation to Russia, Ukraine, and China.

Challenges and Implications: The G-7 summit takes place against the backdrop of pressing issues, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and China’s growing economic influence. The U.S. has played a leading role in responding to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but the war has reached a stalemate, leaving the allies with limited options. Meanwhile, China’s economic rise has created divisions among democratic allies, with Europe reluctant to risk trade with China by embracing a more confrontational stance proposed by the U.S.

Biden’s absence from part of the summit, prompted by the need to address the debt ceiling crisis in Washington, has raised concerns among allies about the reliability of the U.S. as a partner. This absence undermines the president’s earlier promises to lead on the world stage and risks damaging diplomatic relations. The cancellation of the latter half of the trip, including the first-ever visit to Papua New Guinea by a U.S. president and participation in the Quad Summit in Australia, further compounds these concerns.

Furthermore, the G-7’s joint initiatives, such as the infrastructure bank aimed at countering China’s Belt and Road Initiative, are losing momentum. The lack of concrete plans and financial resources has limited the effectiveness of these initiatives, as the G-7 struggles to compete with China’s economic influence. The summit’s focus on China is likely to be more centered on security issues rather than economic concerns, given the divergent positions of G-7 members.

Maintaining Unity and Addressing Challenges: Despite the challenges, the G-7 recognizes the importance of collective strength and the need to address common issues. Efforts to shore up supply chains and reduce dependence on China for critical minerals, particularly for technological industries, are areas of potential agreement among the members. Inviting non-member nations, including Indo-Pacific powers like South Korea and Australia, as well as smaller nations from across the global South, demonstrates the G-7’s commitment to strengthening relationships beyond its core membership.

However, the absence of President Biden from the Quad Summit raises questions about the U.S.’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region. It provides China with an opportunity to criticize the U.S. for lacking follow-through in the region, potentially undermining efforts to counter China’s influence.

Conclusion: The G-7 summit in Hiroshima presents a critical juncture for the group’s unity and U.S. leadership. Biden’s absence due to domestic challenges and the potential for a historic default has raised concerns among allies about the U.S.’s reliability. The ongoing war in Ukraine and China’s economic rise further complicate the summit’s agenda. While common ground can be found on certain issues, such as supply chain resilience, the G-7’s joint initiatives and ability to compete with China face significant challenges. As the summit unfolds, it is essential for the G-7 to navigate these obstacles, maintain unity, and find pragmatic approaches to address the complex geopolitical landscape.