U.S. Representative Ed Case has put forward a significant initiative aimed at negotiating free trade agreements with Pacific Island nations and expanding duty-free treatment for select goods imported from these regions. The proposal, known as the PROSPER Act, or “Promoting Regional Opportunities for Sustainable Prosperity and Economic Resilience in the Pacific,” focuses on enhancing the United States’ economic ties with these key partners in an effort to counteract China’s increasing influence in the area.
Case, a Democrat representing Hawaii and a founding co-chair of the Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus, emphasized the importance of strengthening economic diplomacy with these islands to support mutual values and goals. He highlighted that the Pacific Islands are critical in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific and fostering stronger economic, security, and cultural connections.
The PROSPER Act is designed in alignment with recommendations from the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, which calls for an increase in economic assistance to Pacific Island countries to bolster U.S. national security interests. The legislation stems from the Pacific Islands Forum’s expressed need for enhanced trade capacity and infrastructure, addressing challenges like limited competitiveness due to small market sizes and geographic isolation.
Under this proposal, certain goods from eligible Pacific nations, such as tuna, cane sugar, ginger, and taro, would receive duty-free treatment in the United States, similar to the concessions formerly available under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which lapsed in 2020. The bill mandates a comprehensive plan for free trade agreements, alongside a dedicated program for trade facilitation and capacity building aimed at fostering inclusive economic development and improving living standards in the Pacific Islands.
Case noted the strategic importance of these initiatives, stating that the implementation of such programs could yield high returns at a comparatively low cost for the U.S., especially amid China’s growing focus in the region. “My bill, PROSPER in the Pacific, would provide a visible alternative to China by emphasizing economic partnership over debt-trap diplomacy,” Case affirmed, underscoring the potential for private-sector development and the cultivation of positive relationships between nations.
This initiative demonstrates a proactive approach to enhancing U.S. engagement with the Pacific Islands, reinforcing the region as a cooperative zone for shared economic growth and stability.
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