Fiji will join the U.S. in a wide-ranging economic initiative, making it the first Pacific Island country to do so as competition heats up between Beijing and Washington for influence in the Asia-Pacific.
News of Fiji becoming the 14th country to join President Joe Biden’s Indo-Pacific Economic Framework came as China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi made a rare eight-day tour to Pacific island countries this week. He is looking to push for similar security deals that Beijing struck in April with the Solomon Islands, while also expanding trade ties.
