US President Joe Biden Cancels Visit to Papua New Guinea, Sends Secretary of State Antony Blinken Instead

The people of Papua New Guinea (PNG) were left disappointed as President Joe Biden cancelled his visit to the country, making Monday’s planned festivities and public holiday go to waste. Biden, who was supposed to be the first US president to visit a Pacific Island nation, decided to fly back to Washington from the G7 summit in Hiroshima to address domestic issues. Instead, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in PNG, signing a security pact with Prime Minister James Marape.

The agreement grants US forces access to airfields and ports in PNG and includes a substantial financial commitment for security cooperation. The cancellation comes at a crucial time when the US is seeking to strengthen its presence in the Pacific to counter China’s growing influence.