Anthony Albanese becomes first foreign leader welcomed into Joe Biden’s Delaware home

Anthony Albanese and Joe Biden are racing to put an ambitious framework into place before the US President leaves the Oval Office in November.

Anthony Albanese maintains Joe Biden is still “totally on top of his brief”, after the Prime Minister became the first foreign leader to be hosted at his home during his presidency.

The 81-year-old was forced to abandon his re-election effort two months ago amid widespread concerns about his age, but Mr Albanese said he was “engaging” and “fit” during their 90-minute meeting in Wilmington, Delaware.

“He is someone who it’s a great privilege to spend time with,” the Prime Minister said.

“I regard him as a friend and importantly someone who I can learn from.”

In a break from tradition in his presidency, Mr Biden welcomed Mr Albanese into his home, ahead of the Quad summit with their counterparts from India and Japan which he decided to host at his old high school.

Joe Biden welcomes Anthony Albanese to his home in Delaware. Picture: Twitter

The Prime Minister said the visit was “a great honour”. Picture: Supplied

The Prime Minister described the visit as “a great honour”, with Mr Biden gifting him a book on his school and artwork depicting his hometown, as well as a note from his wife Jill to Mr Albanese and his fiancée Jodie Haydon.

“We had a chat about some personal things … they’ll stay personal,” Mr Albanese said.

Asked if he would invite Mr Biden to his forthcoming wedding, he added: “I think my wedding invite list will be something I discuss with Jodie and not at a press conference.”

The Prime Minister said the President was “chuffed” to receive a personalised Royal Australian Air Force leather jacket”.

The leaders discussed a wide range of topics, from political to personal. Picture: Twitter

Mr Biden gifted Mr Albanese a book and an artwork. Picture: Supplied

Speaking to reporters, Mr Albanese said a focus of their talks was the status of a planned clean energy and critical minerals compact between the US and Australia, which the leaders unveiled last year.

Both governments are now in a race against time to lock it in before Mr Biden leaves the White House in four months, with Mr Albanese saying he was hopeful it would be finalised by the end of the year.

Mr Albanese sidestepped questions about their discussions on the state of play in the US, with Donald Trump and Kamala Harris neck-and-neck in the race for the presidency.

But he said there was “no question in my mind” that AUKUS would “continue to have the support of any future US administration”, amid uncertainty about the former president’s stance on the defence pact.

Mr Albanese also said he was “very concerned” about political violence, with two attempts to kill Mr Trump in the past two months.

The leaders described each other as “friends” in social media posts. Picture: Supplied

Both are pessimistic about the timing for a ceasefire deal in Gaza. Picture: Twitter

“Democracy is something we can’t take for granted – we need to cherish it, we need to nurture it,” he said.

The pair discussed the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East as senior Biden administration officials reportedly said they were now pessimistic about sealing a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas before the US election.

But Mr Albanese said: “History will record President Biden as being a driver of a very successful period in US foreign policy.”

He also renewed his call for Australians in Lebanon to return home after Israel’s stunning operation to blow up Hezbollah devices sparked fears of a wider conflict.

Originally published as Anthony Albanese becomes first foreign leader welcomed into Joe Biden’s Delaware home