Trump and Biden news – live: Latest updates as Romney predicts Trump 2024

Joe Biden has a briefing this morning from his Covid response team where he is sure to be encouraged by the boost in vaccine supply (see post below) after pharmaceutical leaders notified Congress on Tuesday they were significantly increasing the delivery of doses.

This afternoon Mr Biden is expected to sign an executive order to review US supply chains for large-capacity batteries, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals and semiconductors that power cars, phones, military equipment and other goods.

Over the past year, the fragility of vital supply chains has been revealed repeatedly after the coronavirus outbreak led to an initial shortage of masks, gloves and other protective medical equipment.

Automakers in the United States and Europe are now dealing with a shortage of computer chips.

The Biden administration hopes to address these supply issues with the planned 100-day review and the possibility of increased domestic production, according to officials who spokes to Associated Press.

Covid-19 vaccine makers told Congress on Tuesday to expect a sharp increase in the delivery of doses, fuelling optimism that there will be enough to get most Americans inoculated by the summer.

By the end of March, Pfizer and Moderna expect to have provided a total of 220 million vaccine doses, up sharply from the roughly 75 million shipped so far.

“We do believe we’re on track,” Moderna President Stephen Hoge said, outlining ways the company has ramped up production. “We think we’re at a very good spot.”

Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine, is expected to get a green light from regulators soon and would boost supplies of Covid jabs being rolled out across states.

Looking ahead to summer, Pfizer and Moderna expect to complete delivery of 300 million doses each, and J&J aims to provide an additional 100 million doses.

That would be more than enough to vaccinate every American adult, the goal set by the Biden administration.

Additional reporting by AP

Former vice-president Mike Pence has said he still has a close relationship with ex-president Trump amid widespread reports of a rift between the pair stemming from the events at the US Capitol on January 6.

Mr Pence reportedly made the comments to a group of conservative lawmakers on Tuesday, along with remarks that he intends to launch a political group, as reported by CNN.

Rep. Jim Banks, who was in the meeting, told the network: “He spoke very favorably about his relationship with President Trump.

“I got the sense they speak often and maintain the same personal friendship and relationship now that they have for four years.”

Mr Banks also said Mr Pence will be launching an organisation to defend the record of the Trump administration.

On Tuesday President Biden met with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau as they sought to repair relations that became increasingly fraught during Donald Trump’s time in office.

One area they agreed the countries should “double down” on was addressing the climate change crisis, with both leaders agreeing to meet a goal of net zero carbon emissions within the next few decades.

Alex Woodward has the details.

A federal judge late Tuesday indefinitely…