The Biden administration is making moves to strengthen relationships with countries in the Indo-Pacific region by submitting three key agreements to Congress. These agreements aim to solidify ties with critical allies and partners in a region increasingly influenced by China.
President Joe Biden has requested congressional approval for a civil nuclear cooperation deal with Thailand and the ratification of free association agreements with the Pacific island nations of Palau and the Marshall Islands. These agreements are part of efforts to enhance U.S. relations with these countries and their neighbors to counter China's growing influence.
The civil nuclear agreement with Thailand, set to take effect in 90 days unless objected by Congress, will facilitate the transfer of nuclear equipment, material, and information to help Thailand meet its energy needs.
The compacts of free association with Palau and the Marshall Islands, along with the Federated States of Micronesia, were previously approved by lawmakers. Biden has now sent the specifics of the $7.1 billion agreements for Palau and the Marshall Islands to Capitol Hill.
Under these agreements, the island nations will receive support from various U.S. agencies, including disaster relief, weather forecasting, and postal services. Additionally, banks in Palau and the Marshall Islands will be eligible to seek backing from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for their financial institutions, providing account holders with protection in case of bank insolvency.
The Freely Associated States, with a combined population of less than 200,000 spread across over 1,000 islands and atolls, are strategically located southwest of Hawaii. Along with Guam, these states offer the U.S. military a forward presence in the Pacific, hosting facilities such as a missile test site in the Marshall Islands and a high-frequency radar system under construction in Palau.
While these countries have historical ties with the U.S. dating back to World War II, China has been actively seeking to expand its influence in the region.
