Yellen Addresses G20 Amid Biden's Withdrawal

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is set to address G20 finance leaders in Brazil from July 22-27, marking the Biden administration's first official engagement since President Biden announced he would not seek re-election and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. Yellen's agenda includes promoting green energy incentives, enhancing multilateral development bank lending to combat climate change, and reaffirming U.S. support for Ukraine. However, there are significant concerns among international officials regarding the continuity of U.S. policies amid fears of a potential return of Donald Trump to the presidency. Discussions will likely focus on the sustainability of U.S. commitments, particularly concerning climate and taxation, but such topics may primarily arise in informal settings. Analysts suggest that although Yellen will emphasize ongoing U.S. leadership, the political backdrop could overshadow the meetings. Global leaders remain anxious about how U.S. domestic politics will influence future international cooperation.