Biden Holds Summit with AUKUS Member Countries

Despite French Backlash, Focus on AUKUS
Biden: "No Ally Closer or More Trustworthy Than Australia"

[Asia Economy International Desk Reporter] On the 21st (local time), U.S. President Joe Biden held talks with the leaders of Australia and the United Kingdom. Australia and the UK are members of the U.S.'s new security alliance, 'AUKUS.' Although France strongly opposed the alliance to the extent of recalling its ambassadors to the U.S. and Australia, the new security framework is being welcomed for now, with an emphasis on strengthening close relations.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

After delivering a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on the same day, President Biden held a summit with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

At this meeting, President Biden praised, "There is no ally closer and more trustworthy than Australia." He also referred to Morrison as 'Scott,' noting that Australia is aligning with his priorities.

Prime Minister Morrison expressed gratitude for the over 100 years of partnership between the two countries and thanked President Biden for his leadership and focus in the Indo-Pacific region.

Both leaders did not respond to reporters' questions regarding France's opposition.

In the afternoon, President Biden traveled to Washington, D.C., where he also held talks with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the White House. Prime Minister Johnson responded by noting that, unlike during former President Donald Trump's administration, there is a very different atmosphere in Washington following Biden's UN speech emphasizing climate change, and that the Biden administration is passionately committed to addressing climate change.

Unlike past U.S. presidents who held multiple simultaneous bilateral meetings during the UN General Assembly, President Biden has significantly scaled back his schedule but appears to be making a special effort to meet with AUKUS partners Australia and the UK at the leader level.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Biden is scheduled to hold a Quad summit with Japan, Australia, and India on the 24th to discuss countering China, which may provide another opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Morrison.

The United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia announced the launch of the new trilateral security alliance AUKUS in the Indo-Pacific region on the 15th to counter China, agreeing to support Australia in acquiring nuclear-powered submarines.

As a result, Australia canceled a 56 billion euro (approximately 77 trillion KRW) contract with France for diesel submarines, leading France to strongly oppose the move, recalling its ambassadors to the U.S. and Australia, accusing its allies of betrayal.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.