President Biden appeared confused again Wednesday as he walked toward a giant flag at the United Nations and then appeared to anger Brazil’s president by walking off stage without shaking his hand.
The oldest American president in history, prone to gaffes, walked toward the 7-foot-tall Brazilian flag as he took the stage, taking a moment to get his bearings as the flag swayed.
He then struggled with the headphones of his translation device, which was soon noticed by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who was with him at a joint speech in which they agreed to partner on workers’ rights.
“Can you hear me, President Biden? “This is a historic moment for Brazil and for the United States,” asked the Brazilian leader.
When he didn’t immediately respond, Lula asked again: “President Biden, can you hear me?”
He turned to the 80-year-old president, who nodded in response, but continued to fiddle with the headphones throughout Lula’s speech.
At one point, Biden dropped it and raised his eyebrows in frustration.
When Biden took the stage on Wednesday, he ran into the 7-foot-tall Brazilian flag. AFP via Getty Images
President Biden shook hands with International Labor Organization Director General Gilbert Huongbo following a joint speech with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Wednesday.
At the end, Biden shook hands with International Labor Organization Director General Gilbert Huongbo, but turned and walked away when Lula offered his hand.
Instead, he simply waved at the audience and waved awkwardly, before shuffling off stage.
As he left, Lula seemed visibly irritated and waved his arm.
It’s just the latest mistake for Biden, who has faced growing concerns about his age as he runs to remain president in 2024.
The American president appeared to walk away when Lula offered his hand, leaving the Brazilian president visibly irritated.
The Post has contacted the White House and Brazil’s Foreign Ministry for comment.
Despite Biden’s apparent snub, the two presidents agreed to forge a stronger relationship as they spoke of their commitment to creating good-paying jobs and ensuring workers benefit from the digital and green energy transition.
Biden said the U.S.-Brazil partnership on workers’ rights only involves the two nations for now, but that other nations and organizations are also welcome to join.
Throughout Lula’s speech, Biden could be seen fiddling with his headphones, which translated the Brazilian president’s comments. AFP via Getty Images
Lula also said that in the face of threats to democracies around the world, it was important to defend workers’ rights and help working families.
“It is more than just another bilateral agreement [partnership]”said the Brazilian president.
“It is a relationship of faith that we are building here and a new era for relations between the United States and Brazil between equal partners,” he said, adding that “poverty and inequality are of no one’s interest.”
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Source: vtt.edu.vn