After the US imposed tariffs on Pacific Island nations last year, Chinese messaging spread throughout the region claiming the United States is not a reliable partner while China is consistent and dependable, capitalizing on perceptions of US unreliability.

Great power competition with China remains the overarching motivation for US engagement in the Pacific region across the last several administrations, including the Biden and Trump administrations.

Compacts of Free Association are unique agreements between the US and Palau, Republic of Marshall Islands, and Federated States of Micronesia covering maritime and land territory across from the Philippines to Hawaii, whereby the US provides federal services, programs, and economic assistance in exchange for unilateral defense access and multiple defense sites.

The Pacific Islands Forum has published key strategic documents (the Boyd Declaration and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific, 2022) that explicitly articulate Pacific Island regional priorities including climate change, rising sea levels, drug trafficking, and transnational crime—priorities distinct from great power competition.

Building and maintaining long-term relationships with Pacific Island nations requires continued diplomatic presence on the ground, engagement on education and health initiatives, and targeted youth leader programs (like the Vanuatu conference with young Pacific leaders) that create sustained touch points with key leaders and serve influence dividends over years.

The US frequently claims to be 'a Pacific nation' but often uses this phrase flippantly without backing it up with action, making the statement sound insincere and failing to demonstrate commitment through policy.

Commercial diplomacy with Pacific Island nations is difficult to implement because these are small, niche economies with significant investment risk, and the US cannot simply tell businesses to invest without addressing structural barriers; the Trump administration has recognized this through Deputy Secretary of State Landau's investment summit bringing DFC and EXIM Bank financing tools.

Pacific Island nations are democracies with vibrant, distinct cultures that each face significant challenges including climate change, rising sea levels, connectivity issues, economic prosperity gaps, education deficits, and geographic isolation, making them dependent on external partnerships.

The atrophy of US engagement in the Pacific includes decline in people-to-people ties, health security, economic security, and education initiatives—the non-military relationship dimensions that Katherine and Charlie identify as essential for long-term influence.