China News Service, March 8 (Chen Caixia and Meng Xiangjun) At 9 pm local time on March 7, US President Biden delivered the third State of the Union Address of his term. This was also the last State of the Union Address of his current term.

　　CNN stated that although Biden did not directly mention Trump’s name in his speech, the former president was still the focus of his speech.

This also makes this State of the Union address "one of the most politically charged annual speeches in the United States in recent years."

　　In the nearly 70-minute speech, Biden began by emphasizing the urgency of aiding Ukraine, then promoted his economic "report card" and called for speeding up the resolution of the immigration issue.

　　However, Democrats and Republicans in the United States had mixed reactions to Biden's speech, which can be described as "ice and fire", and also reflects the depth of the differences between the two parties in the United States.

Image source: Video screenshot from the White House website 

Discussing the situation between Russia and Ukraine

　　Two years after the escalation of tensions between Russia and Ukraine, Biden first emphasized the United States' support for Ukraine in this State of the Union address.

Biden said that if the United States ignores Ukraine now, "Ukraine will be in danger, Europe will be in danger."

"We will not leave. We will not bow down. I will not bow down," he said.

　　Biden also stated that Ukraine has not asked the United States to send troops, and no American soldiers have participated in military conflicts in Ukraine, and that he is "determined to maintain this status."

　　However, in fact, the previous US aid allocation to Ukraine has been exhausted in December 2023.

Due to opposition from Republicans who make up the majority in the House of Representatives, the U.S. Congress has not passed the White House's request to allocate an additional $60 billion in aid to Ukraine.

Image source: U.S. Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC) video screenshot 

Talk about economy

　　In the State of the Union address, Biden vigorously promoted his economic "report card", saying that the U.S. economy is strong, inflation has dropped to the lowest point in three years, and the United States has achieved economic recovery after the epidemic.

　　"Folks, the economy was on the brink when I took over, and now our economy is the envy of the world. We've created a record 15 million new jobs in just three years. Unemployment is at its lowest level in 50 years. "Biden said.

　　In addition, Biden also said that many Americans are currently "buying American goods."

He said federal projects currently building America's roads, bridges and highways use American products and are built by American workers.

Investments in clean energy and advanced manufacturing are also creating jobs in the United States.

　　However, the New York Times reported that Republicans did not applaud as Biden listed his so-called economic achievements.

The latest CNN poll shows that 55% of respondents believe that Biden’s policies have worsened the U.S. economic situation, and 26% of the respondents believe that Biden has improved the economic situation.

　　Republican Senator Katie Britt of Alabama delivered her response to Biden's speech from her kitchen.

In his previous pursuit of connecting with American families, Biden often talked about the dinner table in an attempt to draw closer to the American people.

But Biden is "out of touch with reality" and has no understanding of the issues facing American families, Britt said.

She said, “American families have been worse off during the (Biden) administration.”

Image source: U.S. Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC) video screenshot 

Talk about fiscal deficit

　　During his speech, Biden criticized the fiscal deficit caused by former President Trump.

"(The Trump administration) has increased the national debt more than any presidential term in American history," Biden said.

　　Biden also proposes raising more taxes on America's wealthiest people to continue cutting the federal deficit and fund federal programs.

Highlights include increasing the minimum corporate tax rate from 15% to 21% and increasing the minimum tax rate for wealthy individuals to 25%.

　　“I signed a bipartisan budget deal that will cut another trillion dollars over the next decade. Now, I’m aiming to cut another $3 trillion by letting big corporations and the wealthy finally pay their fair share. Federal deficit," Biden said.

　　Sources revealed that when Biden criticized former President Trump, Republican Rep. Derek Van Orden shouted "liar" at the scene.

　　In addition, several Republicans also appeared to leave Biden's State of the Union address early.

"It was beneath the president's dignity," said Republican Rep. Max Miller, who left early. "This was a complete presidential campaign speech."

Data map: US President Biden.

Photo by China News Service reporter Chen Mengtong

Talk about immigration

　　In his speech, Biden once again called on Republicans to jointly push Congress to pass an immigration bill.

He has taken a hard line on immigration and sharply criticized Trump's stance on the issue.

　　"I will not demonize immigrants and say they are poison in the blood of our country," Biden said. "I will not tear families apart. I will not ban them because of their beliefs, as my predecessor (Trump) did." come to this country)."

　　Fox News in the United States noticed that during Biden’s speech, Johnson, the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, sat behind Biden and kept shaking his head and rolling his eyes.

"We all know that Biden has executive power. He can solve this (immigration) problem now. But he has been unable to do this for three years." Johnson said.

　　CNN said that immigration issues have become one of the main political challenges facing Biden.

The media's February poll showed that only 30% of Americans approved of Biden's performance on immigration, and 79% of voters said that immigration represents a crisis.

Talk about age

　　According to reports, Biden once again mentioned a controversial topic that night-his age, but he expressed optimism about his ability to lead the country.

　　"I'm really optimistic... My fellow Americans, the problem facing our country is not how old we are, it's how old our minds are," Biden said.

　　It is said that if successfully elected in 2024, Biden will be 86 years old at the end of his second term.

　　Biden said that if successfully re-elected, his main agenda in the second term will include: taking action to legislate artificial intelligence, lowering the federal classification of marijuana, and working on gun legislation.

(over)