Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

Australian PM doesn't mind that Biden might have forgotten his name

U.S. President Joe Biden, listens as he is joined virtually by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, not seen, as he speaks about a national security initiative from the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) U.S. President Joe Biden, listens as he is joined virtually by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, not seen, as he speaks about a national security initiative from the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Share
CANBERRA, Australia -

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday rejected Chinese criticism of Australia's new nuclear submarine alliance with the United States and said he doesn't mind that U.S. President Joe Biden might have forgotten his name.

China reacted angrily when Biden, Morrison and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson used a virtual news conference this week to announce a trilateral defense alliance that will provide Australia with a fleet of at least eight nuclear-powered submarines.

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Zhao Lijian said it was "highly irresponsible" for the U.S. and Britain to export the nuclear technology.

Morrison said Australia wanted to boost peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

"Everything we've done with the United States is consistent with the partnerships and relationships and alliances we've already had with the United States," Morrison said.

Australia's nearest neighbor after Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, was "deeply concerned over the continuing arms race and power projection in the region," the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

News of the alliance received a positive response in Singapore. The city state's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told Morrison in a phone call he hoped the nuclear deal would "contribute constructively to the peace and stability of the region and complement the regional architecture," Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

French leaders and the European Union are angered at being excluded from the alliance that scuppers 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 news conference, which was televised from three countries. The president referred to the Australian as "pal" and "that fellow Down Under."

Biden didn't use Morrison's name, while he referred to Johnson as "Boris."

It reminded Australians of when then-President Donald Trump's spokesman Sean Spicer repeatedly referred to Morrison's predecessor, Malcolm Turnbull, in 2017 as "Mr. Trumble."

Morrison laughed off what some have described as an awkward exchange with Biden that undermined Australia's significance to the United States.

"Usually when we speak privately, he refers to me as 'pal,"' Morrison said.

Morrison said he and the president enjoyed a great working relationship.

"Oh, I didn't pay much attention to it. I mean, these things happen. They happen frequently," Morrison said. "From time to time, you know, I've been known to let the odd name slip from my memory -- that's pretty normal in our line of work, I've got to be honest."

Morrison said he referred to Biden as "Mr. President" or "mate" in private conversations.

Morrison will visit the United States next week for the first time since Biden became president. They will be joined by the leaders of India and Japan for a meeting of the Quad security dialogue.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

A team of tornado experts are investigating a path of damage through Wellington County.

A B.C. teen has a suspected case of H5N1 avian flu — the first known human to acquire the virus in Canada.

Local Spotlight

For the second year in a row, the ‘Gift-a-Family’ campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.

Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.

A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.

As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.

A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts – not for themselves, but for those in need.

A Vancouver artist whose streetside singing led to a chance encounter with one of the world's biggest musicians is encouraging aspiring performers to try their hand at busking.

Ten-thousand hand-knit poppies were taken from the Sanctuary Arts Centre and displayed on the fence surrounding the Dartmouth Cenotaph on Monday.

A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.