US President Joe Biden, during a telephone conversation with Prime Minister James Marape of Papua New Guinea, said that he would not be able to visit the country to participate in the forum of leaders of member states of the Pacific Island Forum, as he had to return to Washington to prevent default, Report informs referring to the press service of the White House.
“President Biden, calling from Air Force One, personally conveyed that he would be unable to travel to Papua New Guinea to meet with Prime Minister Marape and other Pacific Island Forum leaders due to the need to return to Washington for meetings with Congressional leaders to ensure that Congress takes action by the deadline to avert default,” reads the message.
Instead of Biden, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will go to Port Moresby.