Scott Morrison denies Biden snub ahead of Washington talks

Courtney GouldNCA NewsWire
Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: Supplied

Scott Morrison has denied he was snubbed by the United States after it did not assist with the government’s plan to bolster vaccine supply through securing doses from other nations.

Speaking with Sky News ahead of his trip to Washington, the Prime Minister said the denial had no impact on his relationship with US President Joe Biden.

“I didn't read anything into that at all, because we continue to work on so many other issues,” Mr Morrison said.

In the end, it was Singapore, Poland, and the UK who came to Australia’s rescue as the nation’s supply of the mRNA vaccine constrained the roll out of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Camera IconScott Morrison has dismissed claims the US snubbed Australia by not providing the government with surplus Pfizer doses. Adam Taylor/PMO Credit: Supplied
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Instead, the Prime Minister said, the focus of the US and other Quad nations was to roll out vaccine supplies to the developing world.

“The United States, together with Japan, ourselves, and India, in the Quad relationship in so many other ways, is carrying a huge burden in terms of getting vaccines right across the developing world. And that's where so much of the focus is.”

He also revealed he lobbied for the US to extend its plans to withdraw from Afghanistan.

“But ultimately, that was always going to be a function of the security situation on the ground. I have no doubt that if the United States were able to extend that and to provide more time to get people out, then they would have done so,” he told Sky News.

“But the security on the situation on the ground did not lend itself to that.”

Camera IconMr Morrison on Monday departed Sydney for four days of talks in Washington. NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone Credit: News Corp Australia

Mr Morrison on Monday jetted off to Washington for four days of regional security talks, set to be culminated by a meeting of the Quad leaders at the White House on Friday.

The regional grouping, who met virtually in March, are expected to announce partnerships in vaccine production and supply. Quad leaders are also expected to agree on further areas of co-operation to be worked on over the coming year.

Climate change, trade deals, vaccines and China’s rise in the Indo-Pacific region are expected to be the driving forces behind the week of meetings.

Addressing the media from the tarmac at Sydney Airport, the prime minister said the peace and freedom of the Indo-Pacific region would be at the top of his agenda as he heads into the whirlwind tour.

“This is all about keeping Australians safe. This is all about, always about ensuring that Australia’s sovereign interests will be put first to ensure that Australians here can live peacefully with the many others in our region, because that’s what we desire as a peaceful and free nation,” he told reporters.

Camera IconLast week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the AUKUS alliance with Joe Biden and Boris Johnson. Newswire/Gary Ramage Credit: News Corp Australia

“The peace and freedom of all of those who live across the Indo-Pacific … They’re very important, as we follow on from the significant announcement we made last week with our American and British friends.”

Mr Morrison is set to meet with Mr Biden early on Wednesday morning Australian time. It’s understood the prime minister will float the prospect of the US rejoining the Trans Pacific Partnership during the meeting. A meeting with Mr Johnson is expected to follow.

It comes days after Australia signed a landmark security pact between the US and UK to build eight nuclear-powered submarines.

While climate change will be on the agenda, it’s not expected Mr Morrison will make any announcements on climate policy despite repeated efforts by the US and UK to pressure Australia to adopt more robust targets.

Mr Morrison will address the United Nations General Assembly via a prerecorded virtual speech on Friday afternoon.

Originally published as Scott Morrison denies Biden snub ahead of Washington talks

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