Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined US President Joe Biden for a meeting at his home in Wilmington, Pennsylvania the day before the Quad Leaders’ Summit.
Albanese is the first, and so far only world leader to be invited to meet the outgoing President at his home.
“It was wonderful to be invited into his home for a one-on-one firstly, and a bit of a look around his home,” Albanese said.
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The two then opened up their meeting to the Australian delegation and some of Biden’s key advisers including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, and US Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy.
The two leaders shared a wide-ranging discussion, which Albanese said was “warm and engaging.”
They then exchanged official gifts, with the PM saying President Biden was “chuffed” to receive his gift.
“We gave the president a leather jacket from the Air Force with his name on it, and the full bit, and he was chuffed to receive that present,” Albanese said.
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“Today, I met with my friend, Prime Minister Albanese, to strengthen our innovation alliance so we can tackle shared challenges together,” President Biden said in a later statement on X.
“When America and Australia stand as one, we forge a future of greater opportunity and security for our countries and the Indo-Pacific.”
https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1837259921286475970?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
At the top of the leader’s agenda was the AUKUS alliance and future submarine program.
Asked how secure the Alliance was between the two countries, the PM said it was rock solid.
“There is no question in my mind that AUKUS will continue to have the support of any future US administrations,” Albanese said.
They also discussed US investment in Australia with a particular focus on critical minerals.
“We had an extensive discussion about critical minerals and the Australia-United States Climate, Critical Minerals and Clean Energy Transformation Compact which we are hoping to finalise,” he said.
Albanese said he hopes to finalise the details of this trade agreement by the end of the year.
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Albanese said they discussed world affairs including the war in Ukraine, and the escalating tensions in the Middle East between Israel and Lebanon.
The PM reaffirmed his stance in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and for the release of Hamas hostages.
He also took the opportunity to call for Australian citizens in Lebanon to come back to Australia.
On his discussions with Biden, Albanese said the President, who withdrew his bid to run again in this year’s election, is still in top shape.
“He’s fit, he is totally on top of his brief, he is someone who it’s a great privilege to spend time with,” Albanese said,
US First Lady Jill Biden passed on a personal note for the PM’s fiancée Jodie Haydon, but Albanese stayed tight-lipped on the details.
“We had a chat about some personal things, we did, and they’ll stay personal.”
The Quad Leaders of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States will meet tomorrow for the security summit.
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