Today in Tokyo, Japan, Vice President Kamala Harris had a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, according to the White House’s report on the meeting.
The vice president emphasized the power of the alliance between the United States and Australia as well as the significance of our close collaboration on a number of topics.
The two spoke on recent events in the Indo-Pacific, particularly our joint initiatives to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific and the Quad’s efforts to further our shared goals.
They also spoke about ways to deal with the climate disaster, including domestic changes in each nation that show our leadership on this urgent issue, and they vowed to quicken the pace of action.
Some have criticized Harris’ remarks, saying they were difficult to understand or that she didn’t seem to actually be saying anything.
Her remarks can be read in part below:
“And I cannot thank you enough for your leadership on many levels. It was noted by all of us when you, right after being sworn in and inaugurated — I think immediately thereafter, probably, you know, with no time to celebrate — traveled to Tokyo to meet with the Quad, which we value as a very important partnership to address some of the most pressing issues facing the world. And so, we thank you for your leadership.
You have been particularly — I say with full complement — ambitious — I say that with admiration — with your climate goals.
And as you know, President Biden and I and our country just recently passed significant legislation — actually historic — dedicating $370 billion to what the United States can do to address the climate crisis.
That coupled with and combined with your leadership and the foot forward that you have taken, in terms of legislation and also just with your leadership as an individual on this issue — we believe the combination of the two at this moment will accelerate the work our two nations can do that will be to the benefit of the people of our respective nations and to the benefit of the people around the world.”
So I look forward to our conversation today. And, in particular, it is significant — under sad circumstances, the passing of the Prime Minister Abe — former Prime Minister Abe — but it is significant that we are here together in Tokyo, in that we also share a common goal and bond as it relates to our dedication to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and the work that we will continue to do to ensure that we are guided by what we are joined in, in terms of international rules and norms around the importance of peace, security, and prosperity for the Indo-Pacific.
So, I look forward to our conversation. And it is good to see you.