Situated in the Pacific, a region that’s increasingly contentious in step with expanding Chinese influence, Fiji’s joining IPEF gives the Biden administration a diplomatic victory over Beijing.
“IPEF now reflects the full regional diversity of the Indo-Pacific, with members from Northeast and Southeast Asia, South Asia, Oceania, and the Pacific Islands,” said Jake Sullivan, US national security adviser, in welcoming the country into the IPEF.
“A close partner to the United States and a leader in the region, Fiji will add vital value and perspective to IPEF, including on our efforts to tackle the climate crisis and build a clean economy that creates good paying jobs.”
The announcement comes amid a Pacific Island nations tour by China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is hoping to sign a security and trade agreement with the island nations.
Wang landed in the Solomon Islands on Tuesday where he is expected to sign a security deal with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare that will open the door for the Chinese regime’s People’s Liberation Army to station troops, weapons, and naval ships in the region.
After the Solomon Islands, Wang will also visit Kiribati, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and East Timor.
The IPEF was launched during Biden’s recent visit to Japan on May 23. Along with Quad countries Australia, India, and Japan, the United States has partnered with Brunei, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam in the economic initiative. The collective does not include Taiwan or China.
The IPEF focuses on four core policy pillars each led by separate agencies. Connected Economy is the first pillar, which focuses on trade. The second one, Resilient Economy, covers supply chain issues. Third is Clean Economy, which handles infrastructure and clean energy, and Fair Economy tackles tax and corruption.
IPEF member nations can choose any pillar to work with, but are expected to commit to all aspects of that specific pillar once they join, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Following its pact with the Solomon Islands, China is in similar talks with Kiribati—an island nation situated around 1,800 miles from Hawaii.
Beijing has already sealed a deal with Vanuatu that includes a promise to upgrade the international airport in its second largest city, Luganville, the site of a U.S. military base during the second world war.
“The future of the 21st century economy is going to be largely written in the Indo-Pacific, and IPEF will help to drive sustainable growth for all our economies,” said Sullivan.
“The United States thanks Prime Minister [Frank] Bainimarama, and we look forward to deepening our partnership for the benefit of our countries, the Pacific Islands, and the Indo-Pacific.”
Bainimarama took power after ousting the previous government via a military coup in 2006. Following the incident, western nations cut off contact with the island nation.
China stepped in during this time and offered significant backing to Bainimarama’s government and increased aid from $1 million to $161 million within two years.
