The looming debt crisis in the United States will see the U.S. President return home after the Japan meeting
U.S. President Joe Biden has cancelled an upcoming visit to Australia.
Biden was meant to address Australian parliament next week – the first U.S. President in 10 years to do so.
However, due to the slow-motion crisis building in Washington over the U.S. debt ceiling, he has pulled the pin.
Biden will attend a three-day summit of G7 leaders that starts on Friday in Japan, and will return to the U.S. on Sunday.
He had been scheduled to make a brief, historic stop in Papua New Guinea, then travel to Australia for a meeting of the Japan, Australia, India and U.S. grouping, known as the Quad.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese got word from Biden on Wednesday morning with the news.
Biden apologised because of “unfolding difficulties he is facing in his negotiations” and they’re entering their critical phase during the last week of May.
“The president apologised that he would now have to postpone this visit because of the unfolding difficulties he is facing in his negotiations with the US Congress over the US Government debt ceiling,” Albanese said in a statement.
