Biden heads to Asia as debt ceiling talks linger and default looms.

President Biden’s Asia Trip: A Controversial Start

President Joe Biden is embarking on an eight-day trip to Asia, starting with a visit to Hiroshima, Japan, where he will meet with victims of the atomic bomb dropped by the United States during World War II. However, the trip is not without controversy, as the White House has yet to reach an agreement with Congress over the debt ceiling, which must be resolved by June 1 to avoid defaulting on loans.

A Tight Schedule

Biden’s trip leaves him with only a few days surrounding Memorial Day weekend to reach an agreement with congressional leaders. This conflicts with the president’s claim that the debt ceiling issue is the “single most important thing that’s on the agenda.”

A Visit to Strategic Areas

In addition to the Group of 7 summit in Japan, Biden plans to visit Australia and Papua New Guinea, areas where China has been making strategic inroads. Beijing and Papua New Guinea signed a security agreement last month, while Australia has been working to improve its relations with China, its largest trading partner.

Meeting with Congressional Leaders

Before departing, Biden will meet with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D., N.Y.), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) on Tuesday afternoon.

Despite the looming default deadline, Biden has given no indication that he will cancel the Asia trip.

Follow along for updates on this controversial trip.