Biden fundraiser Jane Hartley tapped as new US ambassador to the UK July 17, 2021 Joe Biden is set to pick Jane Hartley, a prolific Democrat fundraiser and former US ambassador to France, as the new envoy to the UK, according to diplomatic sources. It comes after weeks of deliberation over who would occupy the role – with billionaire former mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg, former secretary of state [...]
Biden infrastructure plan receives backing as Democrats support $3.5 trillion investment July 14, 2021 Leading Senate Democrats have provided Joe Biden’s new infrastructure plan with a big boost after they agreed on a $3.5 trillion investment plan that they aim to include in the budget resolution that is debated soon. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters that “we have come to an agreement.” It came after two hours [...]
Biden to sign executive order cracking down on Big Tech July 9, 2021 US President Joe Biden will today sign an executive order aimed at clamping down on anti-competitive behaviour in Big Tech and across a host of other sectors. In a sweeping set of reforms, the president will call on more than a dozen agencies to undertake 72 initiatives aimed at promoting competition across the US economy. [...]
US lobby groups gear up to fight Biden corporate tax hikes July 6, 2021 US business lobbying groups are preparing to stop new corporate tax hikes in a spending bill linked to the bipartisan $1.2tr (£870bn) infrastructure deal. As reported by Reuters, the US Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Retail Federation and other wealthy lobby groups plan to sway a handful of Democrats against [...]
Biden turns on the investment taps with $1.2 trillion bill agreement June 25, 2021 The US Senate has finally agreed on a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, which was watered down some $1.1 trillion from Biden’s original pitch. The deal, worth an eyewatering £860bn, accompanies an eight-year plan to fund roads, bridges, the power grid, public transport and the internet. However, left-wing Democrats have called the deal ‘paltry’ after Biden [...]
Biden–Putin summit: Leaders agree to resume talks after ‘constructive’ discussions June 16, 2021 US president Joe Biden and Russian president Vladimir Putin today discussed in detail steps they will take on arms control at a “positive” summit in Geneva. Putin at a press conference described the talks, lasting less than four hours, as “extremely constructive” without any hostility. Biden echoed similar remarks at a separate press conference, saying they [...]
G7: UK spends £8m to lengthen Newquay runway for Biden’s Air Force One June 11, 2021 The UK has reportedly spent over £7.8m to extend the runway at Newquay airport to allow US aircraft to land for the G7 summit. The runway had to be extended to allow US President Joe Biden to land on Air Force One amid concerns about the existing infrastructure being able to handle the large aircraft, it has [...]
As it happens: G7 leaders arrive in Cornwall ahead of summit June 11, 2021 World leaders from G7 countries are arriving in Britain ahead of the crucial summit to be held from today. The meeting between the world’s seven largest so-called advanced economies will run until Sunday, covering a range of issues including Covid recovery, climate change and trade. Several G7 leaders have already taken to Twitter upon arrival [...]
Pound wobbles as trade row engulfs start of G7 summit in Cornwall June 10, 2021 After a show of strength over recent months, the pound wobbles on the eve of the G7 summit, and although it’s likely to avoid a precipice, issues being debated at the top of the Cornish cliffs this weekend, risk another decline, according to Susannah Streeter, senior investment and markets analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown in London. [...]
US govt downplays Brexit criticism: ‘Biden not here to lecture Boris’ June 10, 2021 US President Joe Biden has not come to Britain to lecture Boris Johnson about Northern Ireland, a senior US administration official said today. “He didn’t come here to give a lecture,” the official said. “He came here to communicate what he believes very, very deeply about peace in Northern Ireland.” It comes after Labour leader [...]