President Joe Biden hosted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and their respective partners for a private dinner at the White House on Tuesday evening, ahead of formal meetings.
The gathering served as a prelude to discussions on crucial international and economic matters.
President Biden and his wife, Jill, warmly received Prime Minister Albanese and his partner, Jodie Haydon, at the south entrance of the historic White House.
The private dinner marked the culmination of a day filled with significant meetings. These discussions included a noteworthy $2 billion Australian pledge to support miners who export critical minerals and a $20 million Australian commitment to provide military assistance to Ukraine.
It comes after White House officials scrapped a scheduled performance by 80s pop band, The B-52s.
The group behind the hit song Love Shack was to perform during Prime minister ALbanese’s state dinner, but it was cancelled at the last-minute after claims it was “tone deaf” because of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the SBS reported.
The next phase of this state visit will see the formal meeting between Prime Minister Albanese and President Biden on Wednesday.
This will be followed by a press conference and a grand state dinner, attended by over 100 guests, to be held on the picturesque south lawn of the White House.
White House officials have emphasised the importance of the personal rapport between President Biden and Prime Minister Albanese.
This relationship has gained prominence at a time when the United States is placing the Indo-Pacific region as one of its highest priorities.
The upcoming discussions between the leaders are expected to address an array of global concerns and further strengthen the bilateral ties between the United States and Australia.
