Biden talks to Australian, Japan, South Korean leaders; emphasises on secure Indo-Pacific

The US President-elect, Joe Biden on Wednesday talked to the leaders of Australia, Japan, and South Korea, emphasising on maintaining a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. While incumbent President Donald Trump has refused to concede the election defeat, Biden, set to become the 46th President of the US, has started his transition to take over the White House in January.

Biden, in a call with Australian PM Scott Morrison, underscored that Washington and Canberra share both values and history, noting that the two nations have fought side-by-side in every conflict since World War II. 

Alongside Morrison, Japan Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and South Korean President Moon Jae-in congratulated Biden for his historic win in the November 3 US elections. 

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According to readouts of the calls issued by his transition team, Biden told Morrison that he looks forward to closely working with him on many common challenges, including containing the COVID-19 pandemic and guarding against future global health threats; confronting climate change; laying the groundwork for the global economic recovery; strengthening democracy, and maintaining a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

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While thanking Suga for his congratulations, the President-elect underscored his deep commitment to the defence of Japan and US commitments under Article V. 

“They discussed the need to cooperate on COVID-19, build resilience against future global health crises, and begin the global economic recovery. They also spoke about their shared commitment to tackle climate change, strengthen democracy around the world, and reinforce the US-Japan alliance as the cornerstone of a prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific region,” the readout said.

Biden in his phone call with Moon expressed his desire to strengthen the US-S Korea alliance as the linchpin of security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

The president-elect praised Moon’s strong leadership on COVID-19, noting his commitment to cooperate on addressing the pandemic, building global health security, and stimulating global economic recovery.

He observed that he looks forward to working closely with President Moon on other shared challenges, from North Korea to climate change.

They also discussed the shared values that underpin the US-South Korea alliance as well as their mutual interest in strengthening democracy, according to the readout.

Biden had earlier spoken with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and Prime Minister Taoiseach Micheál Martin of Ireland.