Biden announced Wednesday a trilateral security partnership with Britain and Australia, called AUKUS, which includes the sharing of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, among the three countries. The president gave a joint press conference with the U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Australian PM Scott Morrison joined virtually on two television screens.
"Thank you Boris," Biden spoke to the British PM before turning to Morrison.
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"And I want to thank that fellow Down Under," the president went on to say, pointing to the Australian PM. "Thank you very much, pal. Appreciate it, Mr. Prime Minister."
Biden later addressed Morrison by name when reading off his teleprompter.
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"As Prime Minister Morrison and Prime Minister Johnson said, I want to thank you for this partnership, your vision as we embark together on this strategic mission," the president said. "Although Australia, the UK and U.S. partnership — AUKUS — it sounds strange with all these acronyms, but it’s a good one, AUKUS — our nations will update and enhance our shared ability to take on the threats of the 21st century just as we did in the 20th century: together."
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Prominent Australian news outlets like The Australian and Sky News pounced on the gaffe, and #ThatFellaDownUnder became a trending topic on Twitter.
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Morrison didn’t acknowledge the slip-up but hailed the agreement as a "forever partnership for a new time between the oldest and most trusted of friends."
"A forever partnership that will enable Australia to protect our national security interests, to keep Australians safe," he said. "And to work with our partners across the region to achieve the stability and security of our region."
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"We're opening a new chapter in our friendship," Johnson added . "The U.K., Australia and the U.S. will be joined even more closely together, reflecting the measure of trust between us."
Not too far away, France accused U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday of stabbing it in the back and acting like his predecessor Donald Trump after Paris was pushed aside from a historic defence export contract to supply Australia with submarines.
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"This brutal, unilateral and unpredictable decision reminds me a lot of what Mr Trump used to do," Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told franceinfo radio. "I am angry and bitter. This isn't done between allies."
It is the latest dramatic twist in a contest that has seen naval shipbuilding powers battle for years over what many observers called the world's largest single arms export deal.
French relations with the United States previously soured during the presidency of Trump, who often irritated European allies by demanding they increase their defence spending to help NATO while reaching out to adversaries like Russia and North Korea.
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