Categories: World

Australian papers pounce on Biden’s blunder as he forgets PM’s name at key moment

<p>
Australian newspapers were quick to pick up US President Joe Biden’s gaffe when he thanked their prime minister for joining a major new defence alliance, AUKUS, but appeared to suddenly forget his name at a crucial moment in the announcement and referred to him merely as “that fellow Down Under.”</p>
<p>
In his televised announcement from the White House, Biden stood amid large video displays of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Australia's PM Scott Morrison, both of whom took part remotely.</p>
<p>
"Thank you, Boris and… and I want to thank that fellow Down Under. Thank you very much, pal. Appreciate it, Mr Prime Minister," Biden said as he revealed the agreement to equip Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.</p>
<p>
Biden recovered after this as he proceeded with his speech and correctly identified the Australian leader, who had earlier responded to the faux pas with a smile and a thumbs up.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also read:</strong>  <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/us-uk-equipping-australia-with-nuclear-submarines-as-aukus-alliance-is-born-to-counter-china-115096.html">US, UK equipping Australia with nuclear submarines as AUKUS alliance is born to counter China</a></p>
<p>
However, the Australian press was not as forgiving.</p>
<p>
"'Thanks pal': Biden appears to forget Morrison's name," read a headline in the Cairns Post.</p>
<p>
The defence deal "may not have got off to the shining start for which Morrison hoped, of course, when US President Joe Biden appeared to forget his name at the crucial moment", said an analysis by the Sydney Morning Herald.</p>
<p>
The apparent gaffe opened a window into the "little-brother nature of Australia's position among the powers", the newspaper pointed out.</p>
<p>
But an analysis by James Morrow at Sydney's Daily Telegraph said the awkward moment could not overshadow the importance of the deal, struck at a time of rising Chinese military influence in the Asia-Pacific region.</p>
<p>
"Not even Joe Biden forgetting the name of 'that fellow Down Under' could mar the importance of what has just played out over the last 12 hours," Morrow wrote.</p>

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visits UAE, thanks leadership for extending support following Pahalgam Terror attack

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri paid a visit to Abu Dhabi, UAE on June 10. His…

12 hours ago

23 injured Indians transferred to Nairobi, post-mortem of 5 Indians completed: Indian Embassy in Qatar

The Indian Embassy in Qatar provided updates on the unfortunate accident which took place in…

13 hours ago

EAM Jaishankar meets European Parliament President Roberta Metsola; discusses trade, strategic partnerships

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar met the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola,…

14 hours ago

India stresses free Indo-Pacific, joint action on terror at EAS meet in Malaysia

Secretary (East) P. Kumaran led the Indian delegation at the East Asia Summit (EAS) Senior…

17 hours ago

“Terrorism will eventually come back to haunt you,” says Jaishankar, urges global community to look beyond India-Pakistan lens on Kashmir attack

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during his visit to Brussels this week, met European…

18 hours ago

Taiwanese NGOs hold 2030 wargame exercise simulating Chinese naval incursion

Three Taiwanese non-governmental organisations participated in a tabletop exercise on Tuesday that simulated dramatic escalations…

19 hours ago