The United States' debt ceiling has crushed Prime Minister Chris Hipkins' plans to meet President Joe Biden.
The one-on-one meeting was planned for next week in Papua New Guinea, but Biden cancelled the historic trip as he negotiates with Republicans to avoid defaulting on debt repayments.
And it has left a controversial security deal in the Pacific unsigned.
The President's Air Force One plane, alongside his Marine One helicopter and US soldiers, are all parked up in Sydney.
And while they unpacked, on the other side of the world, its VIP passenger - Biden - called to cancel.
"I spoke today with Prime Minister [Anthony] Albanese of Australia," he told reporters.
"I'm postponing the Australian portion of my trip and my stop in Papua New Guinea."
Biden was forced to choose domestic politics over foreign affairs because he's locked in negotiations with Republicans to raise the country's debt ceiling, or risk defaulting on its $31 trillion in debt on June 1.
"I made it clear again at today's meeting that default is not an option. America pays its debts, it pays its bills," said Biden.
But he won't be paying a visit to the Pacific.
"The Quad leaders will not be going ahead in Sydney next week," said Australian Prime Minister Albanese.
And neither will his one-on-ones with regional leaders, including our Prime Minister.
"I acknowledge he has a lot on his plate as well," Hipkins said.
Hipkins was due to have his first-ever meeting with Biden in Papua New Guinea next week.
"We're still working through that information now," he told reporters after being asked if he still planned on going.
The US was expected to sign a security pact with Papua New Guinea while all Pacific leaders were present.
The agreement would allow US military ships to move freely within its territory and send a message that North America wants to unify the Pacific to counter China's increasing influence.
Now, Pacific leaders are "still waiting to know who goes in his place," according to Hipkins, and whether or not the deal will go ahead without him.
