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What do G7 leaders want from President Biden?

A former US diplomat says Europe wants more 'robust' American involvement in global affairs

For the first time since the pandemic began world leaders from the G7 countries are going to meet in person at the British seaside in Cornwall.

Present will be leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the European Union and Japan - while India, South Korea and Australia have also been invited this year.

First to arrive was Joe Biden, described by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as a "breath of fresh air". But what do the other world leaders actually want to hear - and what will they get - from the American president?

Brett Bruen is a former US diplomat and global engagement director at the White House who's sat in meetings with Joe Biden. He says European leaders want more 'robust' American involvement and are frustrated at the lack of substance behind Mr Biden's contention that America is 'back' - but that this in-person meeting could help build up trust.

"You don't say the sensitive stuff over zoom or even over a phone call. You want to lean over across the table so the translator and the note taker can't hear you and tell the other leader what you really think and what you really need. And those are the type of conversations that we haven't been able to have over the last year and a half."

(Photo: US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden in Cornwall. Credit: PA)

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4 minutes