US President Joe Biden appeared to forget Scott Morrison's name while announcing America and Britain will help Australia build a nuclear-powered submarine fleet.
The prime minister joined Mr Biden and British PM Boris Johnson in a historic three-way press conference to unveil the 'AUKUS' alliance to counter the worrying rise of China in the Pacific.
But Mr Biden seemed lost recalling his Australian PM's name as he thanked the other two leaders who spoke before him.
'Thank you Boris, and I want to thank...' he began, before an awkward pause in which he turned and pointed to the screen with Mr Morrison's smiling face.
'That fella Down Under... Thank you very much pal... Appreciate it Mr Prime Minister,' he continued.
Australia will follow its allies the US and UK, which both use nuclear technology, by building its own nuclear-powered submarine fleet
Media commentators were quick to point out the 'awkward' gaffe.
'A very political announcement,' Today show host Karl Stefanovic said after the press conference was aired live.
'But that fella from Down Under, I mean totally awks.'
Nine political editor Chris Uhlmann replied: 'Almost as awkward as the acronym AUKUS, Australia, United Kingdom and United States.'
Americans, Australians, and Britons quickly flocked to social media to have a chuckle at the bizarre moment.
'Just a public speaking tip - if you’re going to mention someone by name WRITE IT DOWN,' one American woman Tweeted.
'How did you not remember the prime minister's name? That was honestly so embarrassing.'
British journalist Graeme Demianyk wrote: 'Biden calls the Australian prime minister "that fella down under" and tosses in a "thank you very much, pal".'
'I’m definitely a "thanks, mate" kind of guy if I forget someone’s name.'
'AUKUS getting off to a great start with Biden not knowing Scott Morrison’s name,' another wrote.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday morning unveiled Australia's role in a historic tripartite security group alongside US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson
The deal will mean Australia will walk away from its controversial deal to spend up to $90 billion buying French diesel-powered submarines.
This is the first time Australia has embraced nuclear power after decades of debate - and the first time the US and UK have shared their nuclear submarine technology with another nation.
Mr Morrison said though Australia has no plans to acquire nuclear weapons or build its own nuclear power capabilities.
Australia has at least 40 per cent of the world's uranium supplies and the new submarine deal could pave the way for the country to embrace nuclear power to drastically reduce carbon emissions.
The move towards a nuclear Australia has been described as 'China's worst nightmare' in a strategic bid to counter its influence in the region - especially in the South China Sea.
'Our world is becoming more complex, especially here in our region – the Indo-Pacific. This affects us all. The future of the Indo-Pacific will impact all our futures,' Mr Morrison said.
HMAS Rankin conducts helicopter transfers in Cockburn Sound, Western Australia in February
Pictured: The USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) is seen firing the 5-inch gun for Naval Surface Fire Support during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021 in Queensland
'To meet these challenges, to help deliver the security and stability our region needs, we must now take our partnership to a new level.
'So AUUKUS is born – a partnership where our technology, our scientists, our industry, our defence forces, are all working together to deliver a safer and more secure region that ultimately benefits all.'
Mr Morrison said the submarines would be built in Adelaide in co-operation with the US and the UK.
Thursday's announcement came just days before Mr Morrison travels to Washington for the first in-person summit of the four 'Quad' nations - Australia, US, Japan, and India.
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