US will sign new strategic pacts with Pacific island states of Palau and Micronesia early next week and hopes to do so with Marshall Islands in coming weeks, says Washington's deal negotiator
Biden administration is looking to put greater focus on Asia-Pacific amid growing concerns about China as an economic and military competitor. / Photo: Reuters Archive
Washington first reached what are known as Compact of Free Association [COFA] accords with the three island states in the 1980s, under which it retains responsibility for their defence and provides economic assistance while gaining exclusive access to huge strategic swathes of the Pacific in return. US President Joe Biden had been due to attend the signing ceremonies in Port Moresby, but on Tuesday, called off what was to have been a brief stopover there due to the US debt-ceiling crisis.
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