Fiji is actively seeking to strengthen its economic ties with the United States, focusing on crucial areas such as trade agreements, investment opportunities, and technological advancements. This initiative was outlined by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka during a bilateral meeting with U.S. Acting Under Secretary of State for International Trade, Ms. Diane Farell, at the Department of Commerce in Washington on February 5, 2025.
The meeting underscored significant recent investments in Fiji’s information and communication technology (ICT) sector from major companies like Google and Starlink, which are helping to position Fiji as a digital connectivity hub within the Pacific region. Prime Minister Rabuka took this opportunity to commend the United States for bolstering its influence in the Pacific, noting substantial American investments in Fiji, including the signing of the Bilateral Framework for Technical and Economic Cooperation Agreement last October.
PM Rabuka expressed concern over President Trump’s Executive Order, which imposes a temporary halt on foreign aid facilitated by the State Department and USAID. He hopes this pause won’t hinder efforts to expand USAID programs in areas critical to Fiji, such as ocean and climate resilience, health, security, and digital connectivity.
The discussion also touched on the new Fiji-U.S. Air Transport Agreement, which allowed Fiji Airways to launch direct flights from Fiji to Dallas last December. This development is expected to facilitate greater trade and tourism between the two nations.
In her comments, Ms. Farell expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Rabuka’s visit, being the first senior Pacific dignitary to engage with the Department of Commerce since the beginning of the Trump administration. She reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to maintaining and expanding its engagement with Fiji and the broader Pacific region, emphasizing the potential for further economic collaboration that benefits both parties.
This ongoing dialogue between Fiji and the United States highlights a mutual commitment to enhancing collaboration, which could pave the way for economic growth and prosperity for both nations in the years to come.
Leave a comment