President Joe Biden held a White House summit on Monday with leaders from Pacific islands, marking the second such meeting in just over a year. The purpose of the summit was to strengthen ties and counter China’s growing influence in the region, which the United States considers its own backyard.
Before the summit, President Biden announced that the United States would diplomatically recognize two more Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands and Niue. In his welcoming speech, President Biden emphasized the commitment of the United States to a free, open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific region.
To further demonstrate this commitment, President Biden pledged to work with Congress to provide an additional $200 million in funding for the region. This funding would be used for projects aimed at addressing climate change, promoting economic growth, countering illegal fishing, and improving public health. The joint statement issued after the working lunch with the Pacific Islands Forum leaders reaffirmed the commitment to cooperation and announced plans for another summit in 2025, with political engagements scheduled every two years thereafter.
The Cook Islands Prime Minister, Mark Brown, and Forum chair, praised the summit as an opportunity to develop partnerships for prosperity. He urged the United States to actively engage at the highest level in the upcoming PIF leaders meeting, which he would host, to endorse the 2050 Strategy.
This White House summit follows the inaugural meeting held by President Biden with 14 Pacific island nations a year ago, which was scheduled to be followed by another meeting in May but was canceled due to a U.S. debt-ceiling crisis.
President Biden’s administration has been clear about its intention to support Pacific island nations in countering China’s economic coercion. The joint declaration from last year’s summit emphasized the shared vision for a region where democracy can flourish.
President Biden personally connected with the region, as his uncle was killed during World War Two off the coast of Papua New Guinea. This personal link underscores President Biden’s commitment to building a better world through partnerships and cooperation.
In addition to the summit, Pacific island leaders visited a Coast Guard cutter in Baltimore and attended an NFL game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Indianapolis Colts. These engagements highlight the cultural exchange and shared heritage between Pacific island nations and the United States.
While representatives of all 18 Forum members attended the summit, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who has deepened ties with China, did not attend. The U.S. expressed disappointment at his absence, as there has been no progress on offers of infrastructure funding and expanded aid to the Solomons.
Looking ahead, Australia’s Lowy Institute Pacific Island Programs director, Meg Keen, acknowledged the U.S.’s re-engagement with the region but emphasized the need to avoid geopolitical tussles that could lead to an escalation of militarization.
The United States’ efforts to boost its presence in the Pacific islands and counter China’s influence highlight the strategic importance of the region. The White House summit and diplomatic recognition of the Cook Islands and Niue demonstrate the United States’ commitment to strengthening partnerships and advancing shared goals of a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
