The state visit for Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was planned months ago. But the Middle East crisis prompted the White House to change the tenor of the event.
President Biden welcomes Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during an official arrival ceremony at the South Lawn of the White House.President Biden is hosting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for a state visit on Wednesday. But the White House is scaling back a bit of its planned celebrations at a gala state dinner — months in the making — because of the crisis in the Middle East.
"We are now in a time when so many are facing sorrow and pain, so we made a few adjustments to the entertainment portion of the evening," the first lady said.A guest on the South Lawn holds a program for the arrival ceremony for Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the White House.As the Biden administration has worked to counter China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region — its top foreign policy priority — the White House has sought to deepen its ties with Australia.
"The theme — the current — running through this visit is really going to be on innovation," said John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council.Reporters get a sneak peek at the table setting and menu for President Biden's state dinner for Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Oct. 24, 2023.
"Food is comforting, reassuring and healing, and we hope that this dinner provides a little of that as well," she said.
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