President Joe Biden has an ambitious agenda when he sets off this week on an eight-day trip to the Indo-Pacific. The three-country trip also presents the 80-year-old Biden, who recently announced he’s running for re-election, with the opportunity to demonstrate that he still has enough in the tank to handle the gruelling pace of the presidency.But as he prepares to head west, Biden finds himself in a stalemate with Republican lawmakers over raising America’s debt limit. A look at what’s at stake in Biden’s upcoming trip:
WHERE IS BIDEN
GOING?
President Biden kicks off his Indo-Pacific trip by attending the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima, Japan. Biden makes a notable stopover in Papua New Guinea, aiming to strengthen relations with Pacific Island nations amid growing concerns over China’s expanding influence in the region. The trip culminates in Australia, where Biden joins fellow Quad leaders, including the Australian Prime Minister, the Indian Prime Minister, and the Japanese Prime Minister.
THE BIG ISSUES
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and provocative actions by China in the South China Sea and in the Taiwan Strait are expected to be front and centre throughout Biden’s trip.Biden administration officials have been troubled by China’s increasing threats against and military maneuvers around Taiwan, the self-governing democracy that Beijing claims as its own.The US-China relationship has also been strained by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei last August.
IS AMERICA BACK?
As President Biden embarks on his first overseas trip since announcing his 2024 campaign, the potential for a US government debt default creates a challenging situation. Since taking office, Biden has reassured world leaders that the United States is reclaiming its role as an international leader after the inward-looking foreign policy of his predecessor, Donald Trump. The impending debt limit crisis further compounds concerns. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby warned that a debt default would undermine America’s reliability as a partner and stable leader in global peace and security.
