"Not all gifts are equal," as some gifts carry more sentimental value than their material worth, even the exchanges between leaders of major countries during typical occasions and protocols. On the sidelines of the G7 summit and in their first meeting, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson gifted U.S. President Joe Biden a free image from Wikipedia of a British mural depicting Frederick Douglass, a 19th-century abolitionist. In return, Biden presented Johnson with a bicycle and a helmet valued at $6,000 during their initial meeting on Thursday prior to the G7 summit, according to Newsweek on Friday.
According to a report by The Times of London, Johnson's gift is said to be a nod to the Black Lives Matter movement, which calls for racial justice in both countries. The Douglass mural is painted on a wall at a residential street corner in Edinburgh, created by artist Ross Blair, who revealed it online for the first time in 2020. The photo of the mural was taken by American Melissa Haiton.
As for the bike presented by Biden, it is adorned with the flags of the United States and Britain and was given "as a gesture of friendship and appreciation for their shared interest in cycling," according to the White House. Johnson is known for being an avid cyclist during his tenure as Mayor of London. Earlier this year, he faced criticism for cycling outside his local area amid rising COVID-19 cases.
The bike and helmet were designed by Bilenky Cycle Works after the State Department contacted the small family-run company based in Philadelphia for the order, as reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer on Friday.
### Douglass Mural
The mural referenced is from Wikipedia.
Additionally, the wives of the two leaders exchanged gifts as well, with Johnson's wife, Carrie, receiving a leather bag and a silk scarf, while Jill Biden received a first edition of "The Apple Tree," a collection of short stories by Daphne du Maurier, who lived in Cornwall.
The leaders met for the first time this week in Cornwall, England, ahead of the G7 summit taking place this weekend. The summit also represents Biden's first international trip since taking office. After the summit, Biden will meet with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle. Jill told reporters, "Joe and I are looking forward to meeting the Queen. This is an exciting part of our visit. We have been looking forward to this for weeks, and here it is finally. It’s a beautiful beginning."
