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from: ROD McGUIRK, Associated Press
Posted: 09/16/2021 / 10:05 PM CDT
Updated: 09/17/2021 / 00:57 CDT
Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison (center) appears on stage with video links to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (left) and US President Joe Biden at a joint press conference at the Houses of Parliament in Canberra, Thursday September 16, 2021. The leaders are announcing a security alliance, which enables greater division of defense capabilities – including assisting Australia with nuclear-powered submarines. (Mick Tsikas / AAP image via AP)
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) – Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday denied Chinese criticism of Australia’s new nuclear-submarine alliance with the United States, saying he did not mind that President Joe Biden might have forgotten his name.
China reacted angrily when Biden, Morrison and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson used a virtual press conference this week to announce a trilateral defense alliance that will provide Australia with a fleet of at least eight nuclear submarines.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said it was “highly irresponsible” for the US and UK to export nuclear technology.
Morrison said Australia wants to strengthen peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Everything we’ve done with the United States is in line with the partnerships, relationships and alliances we already had with the United States,” Morrison told Radio 3AW.
The news from Allianz met with a positive response in Singapore. The island nation’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a phone call to Morrison that he hoped the nuclear deal would “constructively contribute to peace and stability in the region and complement the regional architecture,” the Singapore Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The French heads of state and government have spoken out against the deal, which suspends a contract with France to build 12 conventional diesel-electric submarines for Australia.
Observers say Biden appeared to have forgotten Morrison’s name during Thursday’s press conference that was televised from three countries. The president called the Australian a “buddy” and “that guy down under”.
Biden did not use Morrison’s name while referring to Johnson as “Boris”.
It reminded Australians when then-spokesman for then-President Donald Trump, Sean Spicer, Morrison’s predecessor Malcolm Turnbull repeated as “Mr. Debris.”
Morrison laughed at the awkward exchange with Biden that undermined Australia’s importance to the United States.
“When we talk privately, he usually refers to me as a ‘buddy,'” Morrison told Seven Network.
Morrison said he and the president had a great working relationship.
“Oh, I didn’t pay much attention to it. I mean these things happen. They’re common, ”Morrison told Nine Network.
“Every now and then, you know, I’ve been known to fade a name or two from my mind – that’s pretty normal in our industry, I have to be honest,” he added.
Morrison said he referred to Biden as “Mr. President ”or“ mate ”in private conversations.
Morrison will be visiting the United States for the first time since Biden’s presidency next week. The couple is accompanied by the leaders of India and Japan to a meeting of the Quad Safety Dialogue.
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