Embarrassing moment Joe Biden AND UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak mispronounce Anthony Albanese’s name at historic AUKUS rally broadcast around the world
Joe Biden awkwardly mispronounced Anthony Albanese’s name during a meeting between the two leaders over the historic AUKUS deal.
The US president was joined by Australian Prime Minister and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in San Diego on Tuesday to unveil details of Australia’s $368 billion plan to purchase eight nuclear submarines.
Biden said it was an honor to welcome both leaders to the US, but referred to Mr. Albanian as “Mr. Alba-neez” rather than “Albanian.”
The US President’s mispronunciation was quickly followed up by Mr Sunak addressing Mr Albanese as ‘Antony’ instead of ‘Anthony’.
The oversights caught the attention of Today Show host Karl Stefanovic, who jokingly referred to Mr. Albanese as “Antony” as he finished their portion of the meeting.
“Very important announcement there, really aimed at Australia, isn’t it? I don’t quite understand the Prime Minister’s name, but who’s counting,” he said.
“Prime Minister Anthony Albanese or ‘Antony’, US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announce the most important defense pact in decades.”
Albanese announced on Tuesday that Australia would spend up to $368 billion on the deal and will command a fleet of eight nuclear-powered submarines within the next three decades as part of an accelerated plan to deter Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific. to startle.
Canberra will procure three US Virginia-class nuclear submarines from about 2033 as a stopgap before a new SSN-AUKUS-class hybrid ship arrives in Australian waters ten years later as part of the trilateral alliance with the UK and US.
The cost to taxpayers will be a staggering $268 to $368 billion over the next three decades.
The US President (center) was joined by Australian Prime Minister (left) and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (right) in San Diego on Tuesday to unveil details of Australia’s $368 billion plan to procure eight nuclear-powered submarines
From this year, Australian military and civilian personnel will be conscripted into the US Navy and Royal Navy, and UK and US submarine industrial bases to train Australian personnel.
A new submarine base to house the nuclear-powered AUKUS fleet will be created along the east coast with Port Kembla, in NSW, as the new location.
The announcement came as Chinese President Xi Jinping warned that his country would bolster its military in response to the AUKUS plan.
Addressing the National People’s Congress on Monday, he said the military would be supported to create a “great wall of steel,” labeled security the “base of development” and accused Western colonial powers of “national humiliation.”
Mr Albanese is seen shaking hands with Mr Biden as they revealed the details of the AUKUS deal
“We must fully promote the modernization of national defense and armed forces and build the people’s armed forces into a great steel wall that effectively protects national sovereignty, security and development interests,” he said.
Mr. Albanese labeled the historic AUKUS deal as a new chapter in strengthening relations with the US and UK.
“A friendship built on our shared values, our commitment to democracy and our common vision for a peaceful and prosperous future,” he said.
“This is only the first time in 65 years and only the second time in history that the United States has shared its nuclear propulsion technology. And we thank you for it.
“This is a true trilateral venture. All three nations are ready to contribute and all three nations are ready to benefit.”