03/07/2025 Newsletter

Happenings in Congress

• Pacific Islands Caucus Co-Chairs Bera and Case led a letter to Secretary of State Rubio expressing concerns about the impacts of the 90-day foreign assistance freeze, stop-work order and shutdown of the United States Agency for International Development on the Pacific Islands.
• Rep. Tom Tiffany called on the Department of Homeland Security to end a loophole that allows People's Republic of China nationals to visit the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands without a visa.
• Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka met with Rep. Case while in Washington, DC to attend the National Prayer Breakfast. The two discussed key areas of cooperation between the U.S. and Fiji.
• On March 5, the House Committee on Natural Resources held an oversight hearing titled "Examining the Office of Insular Affairs' Role in Fostering Prosperity in the Pacific Territories and Addressing External Threats to Peace and Security."

In the News

• New Zealand is reconsidering aid to Kiribati. Will China move in? A rare on the-record dispute between New Zealand and Kiribati has renewed focus on the poor and isolated island nation, highlighting the existential threat it faces from the climate crisis – against the backdrop of a tussle between the world’s biggest powers for regional dominance.
• What is the Cook Islands deal with China and what has worried New Zealand? Growing ties between Cook Islands and China, including a new comprehensive partnership agreement plan, have raised concerns in New Zealand, which has a close constitutional relationship with its tiny Pacific neighbor.
• U.S. aid freeze stops crucial Pacific projects. President Trump's foreign aid freeze has halted vital projects in the South Pacific, aid workers and analysts say, risking lives and hurting U.S. efforts to woo the region.
• Honolulu-based Coast Guard crew patrols South Pacific. The Honolulu based Coast Guard Cutter Midgett is sailing across the South Pacific conducting operations with island nations.
• Fiji HIV infection estimate triples after health services 'destroyed' by neglect. The HIV outbreak in Fiji may be more severe than publicly acknowledged with estimates suggesting three times as many people are living with the virus that causes AIDS compared to official figures.
• 'Welkam fren': New Vanuatu PM sets homegrown tone for U.S. relations. Jotham Napat wants the U.S. to step up, rather than step away, despite Trump’s rejection of the Paris Agreement and aid freeze.

Pacific Voices

• On our playlist this week: Day by Day by Kolohe Kai & The Green (Bonus: Center for Strategic and International Studies Pacific Airwaves Podcast)
• On our watch list this week: Ka Whawhai Tonu directed by Michael Jonathan
• On our reading list this week: 'A peaceful, prosperous, democratic Pacific' - Hon. Winston Peters