The U.S. has revealed a new strategy to prioritize Pacific nations in its foreign policy, seeking to temper concerns over climate change and development in a bid to counter China’s growing influence in the vast oceanic region.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris announced the new commitment, including plans to open more U.S. embassies, in a speech delivered virtually to the Pacific Island Forum leaders meeting in Fiji on Wednesday. Regional leaders and diplomats have been meeting in Suva since Monday.
“We recognize that in recent years, the Pacific Islands may not have received the diplomatic attention and support that you deserve. So today I am here to tell you directly, we are going to change that,” Harris said in her speech.
