Joe Biden’s Quad no-show rattles faith

Joe Biden’s decision to cancel next week’s trip to Papua New Guinea and Australia will raise questions about the reliability of the United States as a regional ally, let alone its competency to manage its own affairs, the government, the opposition and experts all believe.

Amid concerns the diplomatic debacle would be a public relations coup for China, the White House promised to make amends, but could give no indication of when Mr Biden might again try to visit.