CNN
—
President Joe Biden is canceling his upcoming visits to Papua New Guinea and Australia because of ongoing debt ceiling negotiations in Washington, the White House confirmed Tuesday.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement that Biden spoke with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday to inform him that he will “postpone” the trip and invited the prime minister to visit officer of state “at a time to be agreed”. for the teams”. Jean-Pierre added that “the president’s team engaged” with the prime minister of Papua New Guinea.
Biden will still travel to Japan starting Wednesday as part of what was supposed to be a weeklong trip to the Pacific region for a meeting of Group of Seven leaders.
Albanese confirmed on Tuesday night that Australia had canceled a Quad leaders summit of the US, India, Australia and Japan to meet in Sydney with the news that Biden would not show, although the prime minister he said talks could still continue as leaders. visit Japan
Earlier Tuesday, National Security Council strategic communications coordinator John Kirby told reporters the White House was “re-evaluating” the stops in Papua New Guinea and Australia.
“What I can talk about is the G7 and going to Hiroshima. The president is looking forward to that. We’re looking at the rest of the trip,” Kirby told reporters.
The president’s trip cancellation comes as congressional leaders met with Biden at the White House to discuss the debt limit. The Treasury Department has warned that a government default could come as soon as June 1, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has said a default would trigger a global economic recession.
This story has been updated with additional news.
