US pours $257m into starching up strategic interest in the Pacific
The United States has pledged $257 million to the Pacific Islands to bolster strategic interests, including infrastructure projects and maritime security. The initiative aims to counter regional influence from other powers while addressing economic and security concerns like illegal fishing.
Why it matters
This funding reflects the intensifying geopolitical competition between the US and China for influence in the Pacific region, particularly regarding resource access and security.
<p>The United States has come to the Pacific Islands Forum with US$150 million (NZ$257 million) and is promising to work with four Pacific countries targeted by costly immigration visa fees.</p> <p>In an exclusive interview with 1News, the US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said the Pacific is of strategic interest to the US. </p> <p>"We would like to be part of the story of the future of this region. I think we will be because we’re part of this region, it’s inevitable," he said.</p> <p>New initiatives include US$60 million (NZ$102.8 million) into helping Pacific nations address the global fuel crisis, US$17 million (NZ$29.12 million) to help counter illegal fishing, a feasibility study on upgrading Tonga’s port facilities, and fuel supply and several infrastructure projects.</p> <p>One of those infrastructure projects is the <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/01/nz-and-us-to-build-major-port-on-former-military-base-in-cook-islands/" target="_blank">NZ$100 million port project</a> in Penrhyn, Cook Islands, to which New Zealand is also contributing around…
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