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Arms tests in North Korea, humanitarian crisis on the Mexican border and a pandemic that continues to claim lives. There were several clouds of unease as Joe Biden took the podium at the White House.
But the president still started in a positive spirit, stepping up America’s vaccine target.
– We have already reached the first goal of 100 million doses after 58 days. Now I set a new goal. During my first 100 days, we will have distributed 200 million doses, Joe Biden said.
Children trapped in camps on the Mexican border
Several of the journalists’ questions referred to the situation on the southern border with Mexico. Thousands of Mexican citizens have attempted to enter the country in recent months and 9,000 unaccompanied children are said to have been trapped in overcrowded and poorly equipped camps along the border.
Stefan Åsberg from SVT has described the situation as Joe Biden’s First Great Trial.
So far, the White House has responded to the criticism with silence, but at tonight’s press conference, Biden had to respond.
– No child should stay more than 72 hours in the camps. But 70 percent of the children who come are 16 or 17 years old. So it’s not about children being snatched from their mothers’ arms, Biden said.
Biden kept his earlier message: Those who make it to the border must be sent back.
– If there are relatives in the country of origin, the child must be returned. But I will never let a child starve to death on the border. Children must be provided with safe accommodation.
He commented on North Korea’s weapons tests.
Another problem for Joe Biden is North Korean weapons testing. On Thursday, the Japanese Coast Guard declared that the country fired two ballistic missiles. Biden has previously refrained from commenting on the weapons tests.
During tonight’s press conference, he said:
– First, these missiles violated UN Resolution 1718. We are talking to our allies and if it escalates, we will respond with appropriate measures.
He plans to run in the next election
Biden, who is 78 years old and the oldest American president to be elected, was also asked if he intends to run for the next election in 2024.
– Yes, that’s my plan, said the president.
It took 65 days
Thursday’s press conference took place 65 full days after Joe Biden took office.
It is the first time in 50 years that this long has passed before an American president invites the press to the White House.
