Newly elected European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday said she hopes the U.S. joins the European Union in pledging money for the global search for vaccines and treatment for the novel coronavirus.
The EU in just a few hours earlier Monday collected promises of $8.07 billion during a world-wide pledging effort for the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
"The United States are doing a lot domestically, what research for a vaccine is concerned and indeed they are informed about our global initiative and I hope that in the one or the other way they decide to join," von der Leyen said in an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour.
"But, for sure, the American footprint is there because we have outstanding American scientists and philanthropists that are joining our call for action, and I'm very glad for that," she added. "So we invited the whole world, and I think the whole world is joining."
Pledges for the global fundraising initiative came in from Germany, Norway, France, Britain, Italy, Japan and Saudi Arabia. Businesses and non-governmental organizations, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, also contributed.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
© 2023 Newsmax. All rights reserved.