Biden's Overseas Trip and Debt Ceiling Crisis Distract from Geopolitical Agenda.
President Biden spoke with Prime Minister James Marape of Papua New Guinea and conveyed his inability to travel to Papua New Guinea due to the need to return to Washington for meetings with Congressional leaders. He emphasized the U.S. commitment to the renewed partnership with the Pacific Islands and invited the Prime Minister and other Pacific leaders to Washington, DC later this year for the second U.S. summit with the Pacific Islands Forum. The leaders can continue discussions around enhancing U.S.-Pacific cooperation on shared priorities including combatting the climate crisis, increasing trade and economic ties, promoting maritime security, advancing sustainable and inclusive development, and increasing people-to-people engagement.