The United States has been encouraged to pursue free trade agreements with Pacific nations and to offer duty-free treatment for several goods imported from this region. Congressman Ed Case of Hawaii emphasized the importance of strengthening economic ties with these island countries to safeguard the U.S. position in the Pacific amid growing influence from China.
In an effort to bolster economic diplomacy, Case introduced a bill to the U.S. House of Representatives designed to counterbalance China’s expanding presence. The legislation, known as H.R. 6619 or the Promoting Regional Opportunities for Sustainable Prosperity and Economic Resilience in the Pacific (PROSPER) Act, highlights the strategic role of Pacific islands as partners in fostering a free and open Indo-Pacific, enhancing economic, security, and cultural connections among nations that share common values.
The bill would allow certain exports from the Pacific islands, including tuna, cane sugar, ginger, and taro, to benefit from duty-free treatment, although it remains uncertain if kava, a rising export, will qualify. Case noted that aligning this legislation with recommendations from the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission’s 2025 annual report is crucial in reinforcing economic aid to Pacific nations, which is essential for U.S. national security interests and supportive of the aspirations of partner countries.
The PROSPER Act seeks to revive trade preferences that several Pacific Island nations previously enjoyed under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) before its lapse in 2020. It directs the U.S. president to devise a strategy for negotiating free trade agreements with island governments and to establish a dedicated program focused on trade facilitation and capacity building. This initiative aims to promote inclusive economic development, generate sustainable job opportunities, and improve living standards across the Pacific region.
As attention to the Pacific islands grows, this endeavor presents an opportunity not only to strengthen U.S. diplomatic relations but also to support the economic prosperity of these nations, fostering a collaborative approach to shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific.
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