Rep. Case backs bill aiming to bolster US ties with Pacific Island nations, counter China’s regional influence

A bipartisan group of federal lawmakers introduced new legislation this week designed to strengthen US partnerships with Pacific Island nations and expand diplomatic, security and economic engagement in the region.

The Pacific Partnership Act—introduced by US Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Congressman Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i) and Delegate Aumua Amata Radewagen (R-American Samoa)—seeks to formalize a comprehensive strategy for US involvement in the Pacific.

Lawmakers say the bill addresses rising concerns about Chinese influence in the region while supporting the long-term development goals of Pacific Island nations.

“Our Pacific Partnership Act responds directly to the reality that our country’s and world’s future lies in the Indo-Pacific, and that the islands of the Pacific are our indispensable partners in charting that future,” Case said. “The Pacific Islands are under increasingly severe economic, environmental and geopolitical stress, and we must expand our generational engagement to assist them where they most need assistance.”

The bill proposes a “Strategy for Pacific Partnership” be developed by the President and presented to Congress every four years. The strategy would outline US activities in the region and assess collaboration on issues such as natural disaster response, economic development and security threats.

The full text of the Pacific Partnership Act is available here.