Trump joins virtual G-20 summit, skips session on pandemic preparedness [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Prominent nation heads among the globes’ 20 biggest economies gave video statements for the rising outbreak’s online gathering.
• U.S President Donald Trump or any of his delegates opted not to deliver a message for the session about pandemic readiness.
• Trump, who only made a brief appearance at the kick-off ceremony of the online conference hosted by Saudi Arabia, was seen later at his golf course in Sterling, Virginia, where he reportedly stayed every weekend following the election.

On Saturday, President Donald Trump did not partake in an online G-20 meeting on global response actions to the COVID-19 and enhanced pandemic readiness, despite the growing number of coronavirus cases in the U.S.

Top world leaders worldwide, including those from the 20 countries with the largest economies, such as Italy, France, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and

South Korea gave messages via video broadcast during the virtual discussion on outbreak awareness. Trump nor any of his representatives skipped the video message segment.

After Trump participated in the virtual summit’s opening formalities organized by Saudi Arabia with other G-20 leaders, he was later seen at his golf course, the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia. The U.S president has reportedly frequented the place every weekend since failing to secure a second presidential term following the Nov.3 elections.

On Saturday, the White House said the president emphasized with world leaders the urgency to reestablish economic advancement and employment while the world continued to fight the pandemic and reiterated the significance of the G-20  for future success.

It was uncertain for the rest of the week if Trump would join most activities in his last G-20 summit as a president. He is not set to re-appear at the G-20 until early Sunday.

The number of people infected by the coronavirus globally has surpassed 57 million, with a death toll of over 1.3 million as world leaders can’t come up with organized actions.

Many G-20 leaders recommended a fair distribution of coronavirus vaccines and supporting the World Health Organization (WHO), the leading agency in fighting the pandemic and globally organizing the immunization supply.

Over the summer, the Trump administration declared its departure from the WHO and decided not to be part of the COVAX vaccine distribution.

French President Emmanuel Macron commended international collaboration in providing the vaccine with priorities given to third world countries.

Angela Merkel, German Chancellor, meanwhile,  called for sufficient funding, cooperation, and better independence.

Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed with leaders that Russia is ready to allocate its Sputnik V COVID-19 shots to other nations, adding that they’re already developing a second and third vaccine.

The same was also told by Chinese President Xi Jinping, adding that China is looking at five other vaccine potentials currently on its Phase III trials.

The U.S. listed another daily record high for new COVID-19 cases on Friday with over 195,500 cases and no less than 1,800 deaths,  Johns Hopkins University reports.

Source: CNBC