Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that the octogenarian leader was "chuffed" to receive the gift – a leather jacket from the Air Force – brought by him after he met US President Joe Biden at his home in Wilmington on Friday.
The two leaders held bilateral discussions ahead of Saturday's Quad Leaders' Summit in Wilmington, Delaware.
I truly have the honor to be able to be invited to sit and talk with President Biden at his home in Wilmington. It is wonderful that I was invited into his home for a one on one firstly and a bit of a look around his home, and a one-on-one chat, and then a 90-minute meeting between myself and our Delegation and President Biden, Secretary Lincoln and the National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, as well as the Ambassador to Australia, Kennedy," Albanese told reporters after his meeting with Biden, early Saturday, India time.
The Australian prime minister said he and the US president had a "nice exchange of gifts", as the US President gave him a book about his school - Archmere Academy, where Saturday's Quad Leaders' Summit will take place.
"We gave the president a leather jacket from the Air Force with his name on it and the full bit, and he was chuffed to receive that present," Albanese said.
It is the first time Biden receives foreign leaders – where among them is an "intimate leaders' dinner" at his private home – in Wilmington as president.
During these talks, the Australian Prime Minister referred to them as "very warm and engaging," describing it as a discussion of allies and friends.
"This, my understanding is it was the first time that a foreign leader has met him at his home. And so I feel that it was a great honour for that," he said.
When asked about the age concerns relating to Biden, the Australian Prime Minister did well in praising the insights shown by the former vice president on different matters.
He's fit, he's totally on top of his brief, it's a great privilege to spend time with somebody like that. He's engaging, and he is somebody who has served as Vice President of the United States for eight years and President for nearing on four. And someone who has such broad experience in the US Senate," said Albanese.
He was also asked if he took anything away from Biden, whether the US leader dished him any kind of life or political advice during that one-on-one dialogue.
"Yeah, I certainly enjoy the President's company very much. And during the one-on-one discussion, we had a very nice chat. Jill provided a very nice note for myself and for Jodie, who she gets on very well with.".
"His knowledge of the US system and the globe, and the way that the world has changed. And he is, the other thing about President Biden as well, is he is someone who is optimistic and someone who speaks about hope. Hope's always better than fear as an emotion. And I'd rather be hopeful and optimistic, than fearful and negative," the Australian PM mentioned.
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