The White House said on Friday that an informal group was formed by the United States, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom with the goal of strengthening trade and diplomatic ties with Pacific island countries.
As China works to strengthen its ties with Pacific island states that are eager for foreign investment, the Biden administration has pledged to devote more resources to the Indo-Pacific region.
Partners in the Blue Pacific (PBP), the organization, will work to promote Pacific regionalism and develop relations between the Pacific islands and the rest of the globe on the economic front.
“We are unified in our desire to promote a region that benefits the Pacific peoples. We are also unified in our approach to achieving this goal, which is based on the values of Pacific regionalism, sovereignty, openness, and accountability, but most importantly, under the leadership and direction of the Pacific Islands “declared the White House.
Kurt Campbell, the White House’s coordinator for the Indo-Pacific, stated on Thursday that he anticipates more senior American officials traveling to Pacific island nations as Washington ramps up its efforts to confront China in the vitally important area.
The United States, according to Campbell, needs additional diplomatic missions in the area and greater interactions with the Pacific island nations who occasionally “get fewer attention.”
