America’s Pacific Island Summit: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

By Derek Grossman

Amidst increased Chinese engagement in the Pacific Islands, the US recently hosted the first ever Pacific Islands Summit in Washington. However, not all Pacific Island Forum countries were represented at the Summit, signalling a lack of care and understanding by the US.

The US runs the risk of being seen as only engaging with Pacific Islands countries to preserve its own power, rather than as a genuine partner. Our latest Indo-Pacific Analysis Brief by Derek Grossman examines the key takeaways from the Summit, and suggests how the United States could reconsider its diplomatic approach in the Pacific to improve its relationships and presence in the region.