According to news from Agence France-Presse on the 18th, the White House issued a statement on the same day saying that after Biden cancelled his visit to Papua New Guinea due to the domestic debt crisis, US Secretary of State Blinken will visit the country in his place and participate in related activities. Activity.
It is worth noting that this White House statement specifically emphasised the call between Biden and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Marape. The statement stated that Biden called Marape from “Air Force One” and said that he needed to return to Washington as soon as possible to meet with congressional leaders to discuss the debt crisis to avoid a US debt default, so he would not be able to go to Papua New Guinea to meet Marape and other leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum.
On the 16th of this month, the White House stated that in order to start negotiations with congressional leaders on raising the debt ceiling, US President Biden will shorten his trip to Asia starting on the 17th. He will visit Japan as scheduled to participate in the G7 held in Hiroshima, but will cancel the planned visit to Papua New Guinea and Australia and return to the United States before the 21st.
Regarding Biden’s cancellation of the original visit plan, the British “Guardian” stated that this disappointed Papua New Guinea. The country began preparations for the visit six months ago, including closing its airspace during Biden’s stay and designating the 22nd as a public holiday. Meanwhile, the White House blamed Congress for Biden’s cancellation of the trip to the South Pacific.
The Associated Press stated that Kirby, the strategic communications coordinator of the White House National Security Council, said on the 16th, “If Congress did the right thing, we wouldn’t have to say these things.”