WASHINTON, 22 MAY 2026 (AFR)—Donald Trump’s pick to lead diplomatic efforts in Canberra says having a strong relationship with Australia gives the U.S an edge over China in the Indo-Pacific and is crucial to its attempts to break Beijing’s stranglehold on critical minerals processing. David Brat told senators on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) that if confirmed […]
Tag: Pacific geopolitics
Posted inPacific News
Vanuatu to sign Nakamal Agreement with Australia, Namele Agreement with China: PM Napat
PORT VILA, 22 MAY 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) —-Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat has confirmed the government will sign the landmark Nakamal Agreement with Australia, as well as the Namele Agreement with China. PM Napat revealed this in Parliament after Union of Moderate Parties (UMP) Member of Parliament for Tanna constituency, Andrew Wilbur Napuat, asked […]
Posted inWorld News
Taiwanese president says island will not be sacrificed after Trump-Xi meeting
In short: (ABC-Australia) Taiwan will not give up its “national sovereignty and dignity”, nor its democratic and free way of life, President Lai Ching-te says. He made the comments in response to what he said was concern about comments on Taiwan at last week’s meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. What’s next? Mr Trump […]
Posted inTop Stories
Billions Promised, But Bottlenecks Persists: GAO Flags Compact Delays Affecting Palau
Report warns bureaucratic hurdles in both Palau and Washington could weaken strategic and economic goals By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau – (May 7, 2026) A new U.S. government watchdog report is raising concerns that delays and bureaucratic bottlenecks tied to Compact of Free Association funding could undermine Palau’s fragile economic recovery, critical public services and […]
Posted inPacific News
China a ‘good friend, but NZ is family, says Cook Islands PM Mark Brown
RAROTONGA, 22 APRIL 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) —Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says New Zealand is “family” while China is “a very good friend”. Brown spoke to Checkpoint on the relationship between his nation and New Zealand. The two governments recently patched up a major diplomatic fallout that resulted in New Zealand pausing nearly $30 […]
Posted inTop Stories
Palau says partnership with the U.S makes it safer as tensions grow
WELLINGTON, 15 APRIL 2026 (PMN)—Palau’s President says his country is safer , not more at risk, because of its close ties with the United States. Speaking on PMN during his first official visit to New Zealand, Surangel Whipps Jr said the partnership with Washington is a key part of protecting his nation in an increasingly […]