G7 Summit and Rewriting rules of diplomacy under Joe Biden
The summit is an annual event which brings together heads of state from seven of the world’s largest so-called advanced economies, including Canada, France, Japan and the United States.
The event is used to discuss some of the biggest issues facing these countries, with climate change and coronavirus set to be hot on this year’s agenda.
Who are the G7 leaders?
The G7 brings together heads of state from seven of the world’s richest democracies. These include the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Japan, France, Germany and Italy, along with representatives from the European Union.
The leaders are as follows:
Prime Minister Boris Johnson representing the United Kingdom
President Joe Biden representing the United States.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau representing Canada
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga representing Japan
President Emmanuel Macron representing France
Chancellor Angela Merkel representing Germany
Prime Minister Mario Draghi representing Italy
The European Union will be represented by commission President Ursula von der Leyen and council President Charles Michel.
Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morriosn, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa will also all attend as guests.
India’s Prime Minister Narenda Modi will participate via video link due to the Covid-19 crisis.
Where is the summit being held?
As the UK holds the rotating presidency, it has the responsibility of hosting the annual summit this year.It will take place from Friday 11 June to Sunday 13 June at Carbis Bay in Cornwall.
Is it time to ditch the term “special relationship”?
As Boris Johnson and Joe Biden meet for the first time, the nature of the UK’s dealings with the US could change dramatically.
Is there history in this special relationship?
The game took place on a train to Fulton, Missouri. Churchill was no longer Britain’s prime minister, having lost the 1945 general election to Labour. But the speech he was about to give at a small university would pass into history. In it, he spoke of an “iron curtain” going down across Europe, dividing the west from the Communist-controlled east.
“Neither the sure prevention of war, nor the continuous rise of world organisation will be gained without… the fraternal association of the English-speaking peoples,” he said. “This means a special relationship between the British Commonwealth and Empire and the United States.”
This should, he explained, be based on “the growing friendship and mutual understanding between our two vast but kindred systems of society” – and military cooperation.
Since then, the phrase “special relationship” has been invoked by many British prime ministers and US presidents – though the Commonwealth is no longer seen to be part of it. Particular emphasis was put on it between Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher and George Bush and Tony Blair. Joe Biden has said that he sees his visit to Britain for the G7 summit as a chance to affirm it.
But critics have long argued that the relationship is too one-sided, with Britain simply doing America’s bidding and adding a veneer of international approval for US exploits overseas. And it emerged this week that Boris Johnson dislikes the phrase “special relationship” because it makes Britain appear “needy and weak”.
Is it time to ditch the term “special relationship”?
Some say, yes. In 1946 it had real meaning: Britain and America had been close allies in World War Two, and both were deeply anxious about the rise of Russia. Britain was the dominant European power, and still had substantial colonies, so America considered it an ideal partner. Since then, however, Britain has lost power and influence. US governments see the UK as just another country.
Others say no. They argue that Churchill made an important point when he talked of “English-speaking peoples”. Although America’s population is made up of many different nationalities, and Spanish is also widely spoken there, it remains culturally closer to Britain than anywhere else. That is why the countries’ leaders have often had a close rapport, and will continue to do so.
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