Albanese's diplomatic dance
The prime minister's diplomatic skills will be severely tested when he meets with the world's two most powerful leaders on their home turf.
The arrival of Anthony Albanese in the United States heralds a crucial few weeks of engagement for the prime minister with the world’s two biggest powers — and a test of his diplomatic mettle.
The prime minister will seek to make progress on a climate and clean energy pact and lobby members of Congress and Senate to push ahead legislation on the AUKUS defence agreement. And with the White House heavily burdened with a tinderbox Middle East and a protracted Ukraine war, Albanese’s visit will also serve as a reminder to Joe Biden of the major role it still has to play in our neck of the woods.
“It's very important that we remain focused on the Indo-Pacific region,” Albanese said in Canberra on Sunday, before his departure. “This is the fastest-growing region of the world, in human history. We do have strategic competition in this region.”
It’s a difficult balance to strike. Albanese also confirmed he would travel to China to meet with Xi Jinping in early November, barely a week after returning from the US.
