US President, First Lady arrive in UK ahead of G7 summit

US President Joe Biden arrived in the United Kingdom Wednesday ahead of the G7 summit.

Embarking on the first overseas trip of his term, Biden is eager to reassert the US on the world stage, steadying European allies deeply shaken by his predecessor and pushing democracy as the only bulwark to rising forces of authoritarianism.

Biden has set the stakes for his eight-day trip in sweeping terms, believing the West must publicly demonstrate it can compete economically with China as the world emerges from the coronavirus pandemic.

Before boarding Air Force One for Wednesday's flight, Biden told reporters the trip is about making clear to the leaders of China and Russia that the US and Europe "are tight."

He will have a one-to-one meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson Thursday, and is expected to visit three countries over 8 days.