Biden urges Republicans to back $2tn infrastructure plan: ‘Inaction is not an option’

• President says package essential to preserve US economic status
• Lauds blue-collar blueprint for increasing opportunity'

Joe Biden has made a heartfelt plea for Republicans to work with him on a $2tn infrastructure plan, casting it as essential to preserving America's superpower status and warning: Inaction simply is not an option."

The US president signalled that he is open to negotiating his proposed corporate tax rate of 28% to fund the package. It represents a sharp increase from the 21% levy set by his predecessor Donald Trump's tax bill in 2017, though is lower than the 35% rate under Barack Obama.