China’s recent engagement in Oceania has drawn U.S. attention — but Washington has always had interests there.
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By Brian Harding and Camilla Pohle-Anderson, United States Institute of Peace, 26 Sep 22.
President
Joe Biden will host leaders of Pacific Island countries for a summit
at the White House from September 28-29, the latest U.S. effort to
strengthen ties with a region that is increasingly the focus of
competition between China and the United States and its partners.
While China is a major force behind the United States’ effort to
reengage with the Pacific Islands, strategic competition has also
reawakened Washington to its fundamental interests in the
region, which
have existed for many decades, and long predate the current era of
U.S.-China rivalry.
USIP’s
Brian Harding and Camilla Pohle-Anderson explain why the summit is
happening now, what Pacific Island leaders will be looking for from
Washington and how the United States can step up engagement.
This
is the first-ever U.S.-Pacific Island leader summit. What led the
Biden administration to do this now?
