Dawning of a new era for USA and the world
THE world saw the revolutionary power of democracy at work yesterday as the inauguration of President Joe Biden ushered in nothing less than a transformed reality.
Trump’s exit from theWhite House and Biden’s arrival will have profound consequences for this crisis-wracked superpower, for Britain and potentially for the planet itself.
With his trademark fusion of folksy warmth and visceral ambition, Biden spoke to a country still reeling from the spectacle of a mob of Trump supporters running amok in the US Capitol.
People representing different ethnic, ideological and religious strands of America’s great tapestry will have nodded in unity when their new president declared the country must “end this uncivil war that pits red against blue”.
Biden has cherished the dream of entering the Oval Office as president for decades and now, at the age of 78, he holds the reins of power.
Bringing a renewed sense of unity to people across the 50 states is a strategic priority, but this veteran of the Senate is also determined to win legislative victories and recast America’s role in the world.
Trump appeared at best ambivalent about the threat of climate change but Biden spoke of how a “cry for survival comes from planet itself”.
The new president wants to “deliver racial justice” and – in a clear sign he understands why so many who long for better job prospects backed Trump – assured his audience the US can “reward work and rebuild the middle class”.
He wants to build on Obama-era accomplishments and “make healthcare secure for all” but also called for a repudiation of a contemporary “culture in which facts themselves are manipulated”.
Many people inWhitehall will have breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of Biden taking the oath of office. Britain no longer has to worry about a president pulling the US out of Nato; Biden will put America back at the heart of efforts to control global warming, just as Glasgow prepares to host this year’s historic climate summit.
We can expect the US to support rather than deride international efforts to ensure Iran does not gain nuclear weapons, and there is good reason to hope Britain can secure a trade agreement that will allow our companies even better access to America’s mighty market.
Both Biden and Boris Johnson face the epic challenge of ensuring the citizens of their countries are vaccinated against Covid-19 and then working for national recovery.
In these and other mighty tasks, the UK has nothing to fear from Biden in the White House and may have much to gain.