The Biden administration’s latest engagement of the Pacific – most recently with visits to Tonga, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and Australia – is welcome and needed. At a critical time, it builds upon other mechanisms and agreements such as Partners in the Blue Pacific and AUKUS to boost allied economic, diplomatic, and security ties to the region.
This outreach by Washington comes as Beijing’s increased presence and security pact with the Solomon Islands has prompted the West to strengthen Oceania aid and security ties to counter Chinese influence.
One outcome has been the US State Department’s increase in spending for diplomatic personnel and new embassies in the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Kiribati.
Additionally, US...
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