WASHINGTON—Today, The Heritage Foundation published its first-ever Pacific Islands strategy to advance American interests and counter China in that vital region. The report, titled “Pacific Pivot: An American Strategy for the Pacific Islands,” proposes a comprehensive, national strategy for U.S. engagement in the Pacific Islands region. Specifically, the report argues that American policymakers should consider the Pacific Islands a region worthy of increased U.S. engagement and resource allocation to advance a more secure, prosperous, and free region for Americans and Pacific Islanders.  

Heritage’s Director for the Asian Studies Center Jeff M. Smith stated:  

“For too long, Washington has failed to produce a coherent American strategy for the Pacific Islands. Today marks a turning point.

“This report provides a framework to bolster America’s national security and economic prosperity in an oft-neglected corner of the world with big strategic stakes.”  

Heritage’s Research Assistant in the Asian Studies Center and author of the report Andrew Harding added:  

“Across multiple decades, the U.S. took for granted, largely disregarded, or even forgot about the Pacific Islands. In the New Cold War between the U.S. and China, such inattention is no longer tolerable.

“Despite being a Pacific state with Pacific borders, America currently lacks the long-term, strategic framework necessary to advance America’s interests throughout the region.

“This report provides 30 policy recommendations that advance American interests and objectives in the Pacific Islands while prioritizing engagement with the Pacific Islands in areas of common interest.

“If successfully executed, this national strategy will advance a more secure, prosperous, and free region for both Americans and Pacific Islanders alike.

Below are the report’s main takeaways:    

• The great power competition between the U.S. and China requires elevating the importance of the Pacific Islands in America’s strategic priorities.  

• The Pacific Islands occupy a pivotal location that is important to U.S. efforts to protect the homeland and deny China’s regional hegemonic ambitions.  

• The U.S. must articulate a clear explanation for how the Pacific Islands fit into broader U.S. interests and contribute to America’s security and prosperity. 

• The Biden-Harris Administration’s Pacific Partnership Strategy does not sufficiently explain how its listed objectives in the Pacific Islands benefit America and has an overemphasis on combatting the effects of climate change.  

• The U.S. will need to execute policies, initiatives, and engagements across multiple domains—including supporting a more permanent and physical presence in Pacific Islands and closing a visa loophole actively exploited by Chinese nationals.