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Pacific island leaders welcome U.S. pledge to triple funding for region

37 Comments
By Kirsty Needham

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37 Comments
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Yeah, sure, until china offers something extra to line the pockets of the people in charge.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

Wow. Seems like the current US Government has money to burn. While still running a deficit in the trillions.....

-12 ( +1 / -13 )

Democracy is not cheap. But in the long run it is better for everyone. I don't mind my tax money going to such a cause.

China has the ability to "buy" countries. But only when either that country is economically poor with no outlook, or run by a dictatorship that poses "humanitarian" issues for the West to give a hand. As a dictatorship itself, China turns a blind eye and takes advantage of this fact.

The Pacific islands are neither on the brink of economic collapse nor dictatorships.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

So where is THiS money coming from?

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

BlacklabelToday 04:21 pm JST

So where is THiS money coming from?

Pledged by the US so it will come from US coffers. Like you didnt already know.

I get it, you do not like helping others in need. You do not get how the world works, how soft power works, how your country gains support from others and the trust of others and influence. Fortunately your government does understand, and the need to stop China from getting its autocratic and evil way around the world. The US must continue to compete and out maneuver evil nations.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

The US already throws about $350 million a year at the region.

If that isn't enough to gain the trust from those countries, I don't know what is.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

@painkiller

The US already throws about $350 million a year at the region.

Seems like you pulled this amount out of thin air!

As the article clearly states, currently the US only contributes 20 million dollars per year to the entire Pacific region and they will triple it to 60 million if congress approves it! That’s a very very small amount! Heck the White House probably spends more on bottled water each year!

Bottom line is that these island nations were neglected until China tried to help them out and then suddenly the US and it’s puppets like Australia started to make promises which they won’t keep ( congress will not approve anything easily that the Biden Administration requests )!

I still clearly remember that the last big cyclone in Fiji broke the country badly and the US only contributed $150,000 as humanitarian grant compared to 1 million by Australia and 5 million by China!

1 ( +4 / -3 )

JimToday  05:33 pm JST

@painkiller

The US already throws about $350 million a year at the region.

Seems like you pulled this amount out of thin air!

Why does it seem that way to you? Do you have contradictory information? It seems like any number I would have mentioned would have you react the same way.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

The US must continue to compete and out maneuver evil nations.

so the USA needs to buy more insignificant countries that 90% of Americans cant find on a map than China buys. got it.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

BlacklabelToday  05:46 pm JST

so the USA needs to buy more insignificant countries that 90% of Americans cant find on a map than China buys. got it.

New Zealand and Australia are also part of that Pacific Islands Forum.

Thought they could handle the funding in that region; apparently not.

We're giving money to everybody.

How about lowering gas prices at home, reducing the number of illegal entrants, cutting food pries, and so on and on.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

How about lowering gas prices at home, reducing the number of illegal entrants, cutting food pries, and so on and on.

yeah, exactly. take care of our own taxpayers first for once. Its been America last for the previous 1.5 years, thats more that enough of that.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

JimToday  05:33 pm JST

Seems like you pulled this amount out of thin air! 

As the article clearly states, currently the US only contributes 20 million dollars per year to the entire Pacific region and they will triple it to 60 million if congress approves it! That’s a very very small amount! Heck the White House probably spends more on bottled water each year

If it seems I pulled the $350 million a year amount out of the air you are correct!

Here's a quote from the air of the Department of State:

This is in addition to the approximately $350 million annually that U.S. agencies invest in projects, assistance, and operations to build a more prosperous future for the people of the region.

https://2017-2021.state.gov/pacific-islands-forum-u-s-engagement-in-the-pacific-islands/index.html

Imagine helping US consumers with that money?

So after 10 years we got $3.5 billion plus another $600 million (correct me if my math is wrong).

That's an awful lot of bottled water!

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

RedstormToday  06:04 pm JST

American gas prices are decided by the American oil companies.

Subsidies and tax preferences at different governmental levels are doled out.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

so the USA needs to buy more insignificant countries that 90% of Americans cant find on a map than China buys. got it.

“Americans are dumb and can’t read maps, therefore we should give up on our allies” - someone with the US’ best interests at heart

3 ( +4 / -1 )

RedstormToday  06:35 pm JST

There's nothing new in that. American capitalist system at its best. The price of a barrel of oil in 2021 was $62.26 per barrel and $60.74 per barrel in 2022. The price went down.

In the fourth quarter of 2021, the average retail price for a gallon of regular gasoline stood at around 3.33 U.S. dollars, The national average price-per-gallon sits at $5.01 today.

Explain that to me.

One thing to do is to increase domestic supply, but regardless, it doesn't mean throw millions at Pacific Islands (other than Hawaii, Guam, Saipan).

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Barrel of Crude oil is like $96

https://oilprice.com

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

“Americans are dumb and can’t read maps, therefore we should give up on our allies” -

they arent our "allies", we are simply trying to buy them before China does.

If they are smart at all, they will take both side's money.

Love how liberals suddenly claim everyone is an ally of the USA.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

The US government doesn't just give away taxpayers' money for no reason. They are obviously expecting benefits exceeding this amount. As the saying goes, it takes money to make money.

yeah, exactly. take care of our own taxpayers first for once. Its been America last for the previous 1.5 years, thats more that enough of that.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

they arent our "allies", we are simply trying to buy them before China does. 

If they are smart at all, they will take both side's money. 

The money is strictly going to US allies.

Love how liberals suddenly claim everyone is an ally of the USA.

I’m not a liberal.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I mean Fiji?

We just sanctioned them a few years ago.

Who are Fiji allies?

Fiji has traditionally had close relations with its major trading partners Australia and New Zealand. Currently, a number of countries including Australia, New Zealand, and the United States have placed targeted sanctions on the illegal interim government. Sep 8, 2017

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Palau?

Who are Palau's allies?

Palau has been strengthening relation with the Republic of China in economic and political relations since 1994. Both countries are members of the Compact of Free Association.

Which country is actually an ally of the USA again?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

so the USA needs to buy more insignificant countries that 90% of Americans cant find on a map than China buys. got it.

Half of Americans do not know where Australia is. I got in a cab at LAX to my hotel and the American driver asked where I was from. I said Australia mate. He said wow, you speak good English. I said thanks mate, so do you. He gave me a strange look in the rear vision mirror and stayed quiet after that. It was an example to me of the poor US education system, and that was back in the 1980's.

That the average American is more interested in themselves and their country than even making themselves familiar with the rest of the world, or even just of their friends, does not mean it's leaders should be similarly short sighted. They must navigate a world outside their borders for trade and relationships, as well as manage within their borders. Isolationist nations sooner or later get left behind, and ignored on the world stage. Be thankful the US government is more aware and that it helps its friends. When the US asks friends for help, it always gets help. Because it has earned it.

Helping the Pacific nations now will ensure that when the US needs their help, it will be more likely to get that help. Be glad for forward thinking people at the helm of the US ship of state.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Peter14Today  07:41 pm JST

Half of Americans do not know where Australia is.

Only half?

And do you know offhand the range of latitude and longitude within which Australia falls?

I got in a cab at LAX to my hotel and the American driver asked where I was from. I said Australia mate. He said wow, you speak good English. I said thanks mate, so do you.

I take with a grain of salt any story that begins, "I got in a cab . . ."

Anyway, I'm along for the ride.

But first I have to give the taxi driver credit for understanding your English because unless you saw his passport, he could have been an immigrant to the States. Or, he confused Australia with Austria because let's face it, a 1980's Perth accent was a little much to grasp right away. This was before Mad Max, right?

He gave me a strange look in the rear vision mirror and stayed quiet after that. It was an example to me of the poor US education system, and that was back in the 1980's.

As for the strange look--how were you dressed? Crocodile skin hat (or was it ostrich?)?

And blaming the 1980s US education system for not knowing where Australia is? In those days, I would blame the education system for having him become a taxi driver.

That the average American is more interested in themselves and their country than even making themselves familiar with the rest of the world, or even just of their friends, does not mean it's leaders should be similarly short sighted. They must navigate a world outside their borders for trade and relationships, as well as manage within their borders. Isolationist nations sooner or later get left behind, and ignored on the world stage.

Choose your own background music to accompany the reading of this diatribe of American-bashing, by Los Angeles Airport taxi driver-snubbed-and now- disgruntled Australian.

Helping the Pacific nations now will ensure that when the US needs their help, it will be more likely to get that help.

Talking about help . . .

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

I hate to disappoint you but what an administration pledges is no longer valid with a new administration. Agreements previously signed go right out the window. You see this in US politics all the time.

Actions speak louder than words. Here is an example:

2021 G7 promised 40 trillion dollars to narrow the gap and what developing nations need by 2035. 40 trillion dollars. What have they done since 2021?

2022 G7 promises 600 billion dollars in 5 years. From 40 trillion to 600 billion in just one year. What will they tell you next year?

You think Kamala Harris will be around long enough to see this pledge through?

$60 million… bag of peanuts

Subject to approval by Congress ^_^

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Pacific island leaders welcomed a pledge by the United States to triple aid to the region to combat illegal fishing, enhance maritime security and tackle climate change, after decades of stagnant U.S. funding.

What a joke.

Of course what this really means is:

”You Must Agree To Support Our Cap On Russian Oil”

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

@BigYen

Well said.

@painkiller

My experience does not require others belief, it happened as stated.

Many Americans are notoriously ignorant of things outside of America. Many just have no interest in anything not American. I do not really care one way or another, people are free to think what they like. America is an ally and offers much. It is not perfect by any means but no nation is. America is a better option to partner for every nation when compared to China. The people do not need to know the nations of the Pacific or where the pacific is on a map. Thats why they vote for a President, so he or she can do what is in the best interest of America.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

subject to approval by Congress.

Which is unlikely in this age of "the opposition must lose" politics.

I'm happy that Kamala Harris is getting some news and at least showing progress. Biden is the wrong generation for leadership. Both parties need younger leaders. In the next Presidential election, if it is between Kamala Harris and a liar from the GOP, she'll get my vote, regardless of having 80% policies that make my skin crawl. I'm done with liars.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

A bribe by any other name... Translation: "Oops, shouldn'na ignored you powerless aboriginal islanders like we did and, now that a new suitor is wooing you, you suddenly become attractive in our eyes... here, have some spare change if we can dig it out of our purse so we can go back to forgetting you..."

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Peter14July 13  10:38 pm JST

> My experience does not require others belief, it happened as stated.

Many Americans are notoriously ignorant of things outside of America. Many just have no interest in anything not American. I do not really care one way or another, people are free to think what they like. America is an ally and offers much. It is not perfect by any means but no nation is. America is a better option to partner for every nation when compared to China. The people do not need to know the nations of the Pacific or where the pacific is on a map. Thats why they vote for a President, so he or she can do what is in the best interest of America.

And your sweeping generalized conclusion about Americans stems from a taxi ride in LA in the 1980s.

Maybe that taxi driver came to America after being rejected by the White Australia Policy.

Ok, maybe there were too many action movies with Arnold or Stallone promoting US patriotism at that time, but we were also big fans of Mad Max and listened to Men At Work so we definitely knew that Australia is located down under.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The Fu,lots of these countries are no more than side chick politically,their is nobody in America clamoring about China,lots of these people were coward to stay in China,and fight the system,like Blacks did under Jim Crow,when a White man word was law,and as Black people move forward for the final legal liberation

Huh? I can't make any sense of most in that paragraph. Care to try again?

"white man word" hasn't been law in the US since slavery which ended in the 1860s.

"their (sic) is nobody in America clamoring about China" isn't fact. Lots of Americans have been avoiding Chinese products and cancelled plans to visit China, Hong Kong, and know what the CCP is doing in the world and in their region.

Of course, there are some idiot Americans too, just like there are idiots everywhere in the world. We just show ours on TV and in movies more than other places. There are Americans in very unexpected locations who are well-read, speak multiple languages, and travel the world, extensively. We never know who is eating at the next table be it a 5-star restaurant or a tiny diner on the side of a state road in po-dunk-Alakanasforniaho. You never know, but being surprised is half the fun.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Robert N, Oh no! That's a good thing if the US still has money to burn, on another note China is printing money with double serials numbers in circulation this is why the corrupt politicians want to change to digital money because they have tit all! Not only are they burning money they are cooking and boiling the books. The everyday Chinese citizen can't get their own HARD EARNED money out of the bank. Talking about corruptions its away of life there.

Wow. Seems like the current US Government has money to burn. While still running a deficit in the trillions.....

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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