US President Joe Biden will cut out his historic trip to Papua New Guinea — and also to Australia — to return to complete debt ceiling negotiations in the US, according to a White House statement.

Biden was scheduled to make a brief, historic stopover in PNG, and meet with other Pacific leaders, before travelling to Australia for a meeting of the Japan, Australia, India, US grouping known as the Quad countries.

However, he will now return to the US on Sunday, following the completion of the G7 summit in Japan “in order to be back for meetings with Congressional leaders to ensure that Congress takes action by the deadline to avert default”.

• READ MORE: US planned security pact with PNG raises concerns for Pacific
• Other Biden’s Pacific summit reports

“We look forward to finding other ways to engage with Australia, the Quad, Papua New Guinea and the leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum in the coming year,” the White House said.

“The President spoke to [Australian] Prime Minister [Anthony] Albanese earlier today to inform him that he will be postponing his trip to Australia.

“He also invited the Prime Minister for an official state visit at a time to be agreed by the teams. The President’s team engaged with the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea’s team to inform them as well.”

‘Revitalising and reinvigorating’ alliances
The White House said “revitalising and reinvigorating” alliances like the Quad remained a key priority.

The US would look to find other ways to engage with Australia, the Quad, Papua New Guinea and other Pacific Islands Forum leaders in the coming year, it said.

On Tuesday, RNZ Pacific revealed Biden was poised to get a security deal signed with PNG, which would give US armed forces uninhibited access to PNG’s territorial waters and airspace.

In preparation for Biden’s three-hour stopover, Prime Minister James Marape had called on Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae to declare a public holiday.

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

The United States is poised to sign a security pact with Papua New Guinea which would give US armed forces uninhibited access to PNG’s territorial waters and airspace.

There are concerns in PNG that the country will be dragged into the militarisation of the Pacific if it signs the deal with the US.

RNZ Pacific has seen a draft copy of an agreement that would have been signed off with US President Joe Biden due to make a historic visit to PNG next week on Monday. However, the trip has now been cancelled.

• READ MORE:  Biden cancels visits to Australia and Papua New Guinea as US debt ceiling negotiations continue
• OPM leader calls on Biden to take proactive role in ending West Papuan ‘holocaust’
• Other PNG summit reports

The document outlines the terms and conditions for preferential access to various PNG sea and airports.

Article 10 of the draft pact states:

“Aircraft, vehicles, and vessels operated by or on behalf of US forces, may enter, exit, and move freely within the territory and territorial waters of Papua New Guinea with respect for the relevant rules of air, land, and maritime safety movement.

“Such aircraft, vehicles, and vessels shall be free from boarding and inspection without the consent of the US. Papua New Guinean authorities may grant blanket clearance for such aircraft, vehicles, and vessels in accordance with mutually agreed procedures.”

The PNG facilities the US is seeking access to include Lae Nadzab Airport, Lae Seaport, Lombrum Naval Base, Momote Airport on Los Negros Island in the Admiralty Islands, Jackson International Airport in the capital and the Port Moresby Seaport.

“Such Agreed Facilities and Areas may be used for mutually agreed activities including: visits; training; excercises, maneuvers; transit; support and related activities; refueling of aircraft; landing and recovery of aircraft; including aircraft that may conduct intelligence, surveillance and recconnaissance activities.”

It adds: “Bunkering of vessels; maintenance of vehicles, vessels, and aircraft; accommodation of personnel; communications; staging and deploying of forces and material; prepositioning of equipment, supplies, and material; security assistance and cooperation activities; joint and combined training activities; humanitarian and disaster relief; contingency operations; and other activities mutually agreed by the Parties of their Executive Agents.”

RNZ Pacific has also been told concerns are circulating within PNG government departments and agencies that the proposed deal may be unconstitutional.

Of particular concern are immunity clauses for US defence personnel operating in the country.

There are also fears that signing the pact will draw PNG into the militarisation of the region as it relates to the AUKUS security pact.

Signed by Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, AUKUS will see Canberra forking out more than A$360 billion over three decades to acquire a fleet of nuclear submarines.

RNZ Pacific has sought comment from the White House and PNG Prime Minister James Marape’s office for comment.

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.