President Joe Biden has stated that he will return to Washington, DC after attending the G7 summit in Japan and not travel to Australia for the Quad leaders’ level summit due to a looming domestic political and economic crisis and a roadblock in negotiations with the United States (US) Congress over the debt ceiling.
Additionally, Biden postponed his trip to Papua New Guinea, where he was scheduled to make history as the first American president to visit a Pacific Island nation.
Tuesday night at a White House event, Biden stated, “The nature of the presidency is tackling multiple issues, all at once. First, I gave a preview of my trip to Japan. Therefore, I have faith that we will advance in avoiding default and carrying out America’s obligations on the international stage. I’m however condensing my journey. I’m delaying going to Australia and stopping in Papua New Guinea so I can be here for the last round of talks with the Congressional leaders.