Fiji aims to expand economic cooperation with the U.S.

Fiji is keen on expanding its economic cooperation with the United States of America in key areas such as trade agreements, investment partnerships, and technological advancements.

This was articulated by the Prime Minister Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka during a bilateral meeting with the U.S. Acting Under Secretary of State for International Trade, Ms Diane Farell at the Department of Commerce in Washington this morning, (05 February, 2025).

The meeting also acknowledged recent major investments by tech giants- Google and Starlink in Fiji’s ICT sector, positioning the nation as a hub for digital connectivity in the Pacific.

PM Rabuka took the opportunity to thank the U.S. for its increased presence in the Pacific.

In recent years, Fiji has continued to witness significant investments by the U.S. including the Bilateral Framework for Technical and Economic Cooperation Agreement that was signed in October, last year.

Noting the Executive Order signed by President Trump which sees a 90-day freeze on all foreign aid assistance funded by or through the State Department and USAID, the PM hopes that the situation will not hamper the plans that have been set in motion for the growth of USAID programs in the region, particularly in key areas such as oceans and climate resilience, health, security and digital connectivity.

Discussions during the meeting also touched on the new Fiji – U.S. Air Transport Agreement which saw Fiji Airways launched its direct flights from Fiji to Dallas in December, last year.

With this new initiative, Fiji is optimistic that trade and tourism between the two nations will further grow in the future.

In her remarks, Ms. Farell expressed her gratitude to the PM for being the first-ever senior dignitary from the Pacific to visit the Department of Commerce since the Trump Administration took office.

She added that the U.S. is pleased to continue its collaboration with Fiji and the Pacific, with more economic opportunities to be further explored for the benefit of both nations.

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