Biden referred to cannibalism twice at two different places last week but neither he nor the White House retracted claims that Biden’s uncle was eaten by cannibals.

And if Biden doesn’t want to apologise, the US Embassy in PNG cannot apologise.

So why can’t Biden apologise?

In my mind there are two possible reasons:

First, he truly believes whatever stories his parents told him as a kid, and doesn’t want to let them go however untrue and stupid they make him look.

Secondly, this year the US has presidential elections and for Biden to apologise would be admitting he was wrong. Biden and his advisers fear that Donald Trump would tear him apart.

So what does this incident mean for relationships between PNG and the USA?

As the PNG prime minister has shown, American money is too good to take a firm stance and annoy the US by loudly demanding an apology.

James Marape said the talk of cannibals may have been a slip-up on Biden’s part, even though the president ‘slipped’ up twice.

It’s very clear on social media that Papua New Guineans want an apology. The majority of people commenting saw the US as an ignorant and arrogant partner.

Meantime China has signed a deal allowing PNG cocoa and coffee to be imported to the People’s Republic.

Cocoa and coffee farming in PNG is dominated by smallholders consisting of families and households in rural areas. Millions of people will earn cash from their exports.

In the same week the US president called PNG a land of cannibals, China offers market access.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know which country is seen as respectful to Papua New Guineans.

An apology from the US Embassy in PNG would go a long way to strengthen the PNG-US relationship. The embassy should advise the US president to offer an apology.