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☆ Palau, U.S. security ally in Pacific, holds presidential election as China looks on
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-05 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, Australia — The Pacific Island nation of Palau, important to the U.S. military amid tensions with China, and among a dozen allies of Taiwan, holds a national election for president on Tuesday. The U.S. military is constructing an over-the-horizon radar on Palau, scheduled to be completed in 2026. To counter the fall in Chinese tourist arrivals, Palau has opened direct flights to Japan and Australia, with support from those governments. Tax reform has emerged as an election issue, with Remengesau’s campaign arguing that big business is not paying enough, and pledging tax incentives for small businesses. During the election campaign, Remengesau said that Palau needs to “ensure that foreign influences do not overshadow our identity or compromise our independence.”His campaign did not respond to questions on which foreign influence he was referring to.

Persons: Surangel Whipps, Tommy Remengesau, Whipps, Surangel, Whipps ’, Remengesau, ” Organizations: Free Association, Washington, U.S, Palau Media Council, Island Times, Co, Patriot, Senate Locations: SYDNEY, Australia, Palau, China, Taiwan, U.S, Philippines, Guam, The U.S, Beijing, Japan

☆ Peleliu: US Marine Corps rebuilds runway on site of ‘nightmare’ World War II battle
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-30 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The Marines named the rebuilt landing strip the “Sledge” runway in honor of a veteran of the Peleliu battle, Pfc. The United States must recapitalize islands gained during World War II to form a Second Island Chain of strategic expeditionary points,” Georgulis wrote. For Washington, establishing strong ties to Pacific island states is also seen as a way to keep China from gaining footholds in the region. Along with the runway, US Marines are helping make improvements to the Peleliu Civic Center Museum, to house artifacts from the World War II battle. At an event last month marking the landing of the Marine aircraft on Peleliu, island Gov.

Persons: weren’t, Eugene Sledge, Corbis, Sledge, Grant Georgulis, ” Georgulis, Xi Jinping, Biden, Palauans, Carlos Del Toro, Del Toro, Surangel Whipps, Emais Roberts, ” Organizations: CNN, Marine Corps, Marines, KC, Heritage Command, 1st Marine Regiment, HBO, ” Troops, First Marine Division, Pentagon, “, US Air Force, US Defense Department, Marshall, Xinhua, US Coast Guard, US, Palau, Peleliu Civic Center Museum, Marine, Gov Locations: Peleliu, China, Palau, Okinawa, ”, Beijing, Japan, Philippines, United States, Marianas, Guam, China’s, Yap, Federated States, Micronesia, Pacific, Washington, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Palau’s, Koror, South Korea, Taiwan

☆ Levi’s under fire after supplier laid off hundreds of workers in Turkey
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Scott Mclean | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Ozak Tekstil told CNN it had terminated the workers “as a last resort” when they declined an invitation to return to work. If it refused, “we will be forced to take the appropriate next steps to uphold workers’ rights,” Levi’s wrote. It did not reinstate all of the fired workers. Inside the Ozak Tekstil factory in Sanliurfa, Turkey, in December 2023. The Ozak Tekstil factory in Sanliurfa, Turkey, in December 2023.

Persons: “, Levi’s, LEVI, Ozak Tekstil, Zara, Hugo Boss, Guess, Ralph Lauren, Seher Gulel, Gulel, ”, Sen, Tekstil, Levi Strauss, Justin Sullivan, ” Gulel, enshrines, Sen didn’t, unionize, ” Ozak Tekstil, ” Levi’s, Scott Nova, ” Nova, “ Ozak, Carolin Westermann, Funda Bakis, CNN Bakis, Bakis, ” Bakis, Tanem Zaman, Eyad Kourdi, Brice Laine Organizations: Istanbul CNN —, ’ Association, Worker Rights Consortium, CNN, Birtek, WRC, Ozak Locations: Istanbul, Turkey, Turkey’s Sanliurfa, San Francisco , California, Sanliurfa

☆ Eyeing China, Senior US Lawmaker Vows to Back Funding for Pacific Islands
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

The Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands and Palau agreed to new 20-year funding programs with the United States last year under which Washington provides economic assistance, while gaining exclusive military access to strategic swaths of the Pacific that China covets. McCaul said he has advocated for a $900 million package for COFA, but was open to other numbers. The U.S. Senate this week passed a $95 billion foreign aid supplemental spending bill for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan that did not include the COFA funding. McCaul said he would work to ensure the money was included in whatever is voted on in the House, likely in mid-March. We're not just going to rubber-stamp the Senate supplemental," he said.

Persons: Michael McCaul, McCaul, Patricia Zengerle, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republican, U.S . House, Representatives Foreign, U.S, Christian Science Monitor, Federated, United, Washington, Free Association, Senate Locations: Pacific, China, Federated States, Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States, Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

WHAT ARE LOCAL ‘CRIME-FREE’ OR ‘NUISANCE’ ORDINANCES? Photos You Should See View All 45 ImagesAnti-crime and nuisance ordinances have been around for years and are widespread in their usage. More than 2,000 cities nationwide have enacted such policies since the 1990s, according to the Chicago-based Shriver Center on Poverty Law. Critical studies and lawsuits indicate enforcement of nuisance laws frequently occur in poorer neighborhoods and communities of color. Other area cities have rewritten their ordinances, including Faribault in 2022 as it agreed to pay $685,000 to settle a federal lawsuit over the law.

Persons: ”, Corey Bernstein, Devon Orland, “ We’ve, ” Orland, Louis, ___ Hanna Organizations: U.S . Department of Justice, Shriver, Poverty Law, Crime Free Association, DOJ, Housing, National Disability Rights, American Civil Liberties Union, New, New York Civil Liberties Union, U.S . Department of Housing, Urban Development, Louis Park Locations: Minneapolis, Chicago, Anoka , Minnesota, Hesperia , California, Georgia, New York, Rochester, Troy , New York, Peoria , Illinois, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Norristown , Pennsylvania, Maryland, California, Illinois, California , Illinois , Ohio, Pennsylvania, Golden Valley, St, Bloomington, Faribault, Topeka , Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States will resume a long-suspended Peace Corps program in the North Pacific island of Palau as the Biden administration continues moves to counter growing Chinese influence in the region. “Volunteers will live and work side-by-side with community partners to improve childhood literacy and math and science skills, along with teaching English as a foreign language,” Peace Corps director Carol Spahn said in a statement. Palau’s president, Surangel Whipps, said the return of the Peace Corps reflects the strong relationship between his nation and the United States. Peace Corps officials said they hope that with congressional funding the Palau reopening will be the first of several new programs it will restart in the Pacific. The Peace Corps, a creation of the John F. Kennedy administration, currently has Pacific island programs in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu.

Persons: Biden, Carol Spahn, Surangel Whipps, “, ” Whipps, John F, Kennedy, Didi Tang Organizations: WASHINGTON, Peace Corps, “ Volunteers, Peace, Corps, Pacific, Marshall, Associated Press Locations: United States, North, Palau, Taiwan, Federated States, Micronesia, China, Marshall Islands, Beijing, U.S, Pacific, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - U.S. budget wrangling could further delay funding approval for new agreements with Pacific island nations meant to counter Chinese influence, creating an opportunity for Beijing in the strategically vital region, congressional and other sources say. But congressional sources say this looks impossible as lawmakers argue over spending priorities, raising concerns that a further delay could create an opening for China, which has been wooing financially strapped Pacific economies. "It's feeling pretty dead in the NDAA context," the source said, adding that focus had turned to finding other legislation to secure the COFA funding. "It is really incomprehensible given the amount we're talking about ... why Congress cannot get its act together," Yun said. "What we risk is China getting in where we really don't want them – in places like Palau, RMI, FSM.

Persons: Mike Pompeo, Jonathan Ernst, Biden, Mike Johnson's, Joseph Yun, Yun, David Brunnstrom, Michael Martina, Patricia Zengerle, Don Durfee, Daniel Wallis Organizations: U.S, Pohnpei International, REUTERS, Rights, Federated, Marshall, RMI, Washington, Free Association, National Defense, Reuters, Republicans, Natural Resources, Foreign Affairs, New Republican, Biden, State Department, White House National Security Council, Thomson Locations: Pohnpei, Kolonia, States, Micronesia, Pacific, Beijing, Federated States, Palau, China, Ukraine, U.S, Hawaii, Philippines, Washington

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is one of three sprawling but sparsely populated nations that have U.S. ties governed by so-called Compacts of Free Association (COFAs), under which Washington is responsible for their defense and provides economic assistance, while gaining exclusive military access to strategic swathes of ocean. Yun said he signed the agreement with RMI Foreign Minister Jack Ading in Honolulu, Hawaii, at a ceremony also attended by Marshallese President David Kabua. Analysts and former officials had blamed a delay in finalizing the Marshall Islands COFA on U.S. State Department lawyers wanting to control how new funds were spent and objecting to their being earmarked to address the nuclear legacy, fearing this could lay the U.S. open to more claims. A person familiar with the deal said all current federal programs, including education programs and the U.S. Reporting by David Brunnstrom and Michael Martina; Editing by Sandra Maler and Raju GopalakrishnanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Louis Mapou, Hu'akavemeiliku Siaosi, Surangel Whipps, Kausea Natano, Joseph Yun, Biden, Yun, Jack Ading, David Kabua, David Brunnstrom, Michael Martina, Sandra Maler, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: U.S ., Country, New, Tonga's, Tuvalu's, United, Marshall, Reuters, The, Free Association, Washington, Northern, RMI, RMI Foreign, U.S, Congress, . State Department, U.S . Postal Service, U.S . Congress, Thomson Locations: U.S, Federated States, Micronesia's, WASHINGTON, United States, The Republic, China, Northern Pacific, Palau, Micronesia, Washington, Honolulu , Hawaii, Marshall, Kwajalein

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is one of three sprawling but sparsely populated nations that have U.S. ties governed by so-called Compacts of Free Association (COFAs), under which Washington is responsible for their defense and provides economic assistance, while gaining exclusive military access to strategic swathes of ocean. Yun told Reuters he planned to sign the COFA deal with RMI Foreign Minister Jack Adding in Honolulu, Hawaii, at 2 p.m. local time (0000 GMT Tuesday). Analysts and former officials had blamed a delay in finalizing the Marshall Islands COFA on U.S. State Department lawyers wanting to control how new funds were spent and objecting to their being earmarked to address the nuclear legacy, fearing this could lay the U.S. open to more claims. A person familiar with the deal said all current federal programs, including education programs and the U.S. Reporting by David Brunnstrom and Michael Martina; Editing by Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Louis Mapou, Hu'akavemeiliku Siaosi, Surangel Whipps, Kausea Natano, Joseph Yun, Biden, Yun, Jack, David Kabua, David Brunnstrom, Michael Martina, Sandra Maler Organizations: U.S ., Country, New, Tonga's, Tuvalu's, United, Reuters, The, Marshall, Free Association, Washington, Northern, RMI, RMI Foreign, U.S . Congress, . State Department, U.S, U.S . Postal Service, Thomson Locations: U.S, Federated States, Micronesia's, WASHINGTON, United States, Marshall, Pacific, The Republic, China, Northern Pacific, Palau, Micronesia, Washington, Honolulu , Hawaii, Kwajalein

☆ US budget fight could create opening for China in the Pacific
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( David Brunnstrom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The stopgap "continuing resolution" (CR) that prevented a federal government shutdown does not include approval for this new program, however, and while it maintains federal services to the COFA states, it leaves holes in other parts of their budgets. "Both are countries that recognize Taiwan and are key components of U.S. defense architecture in the Pacific," she said. Paskal said Palau's funding under its existing COFA had dwindled as it approached its final year and it had been banking on funds from the new package to help cover budget deficits. The Washington embassies of Palau and the Marshall islands did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Don Durfee and Josie KaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Biden, Cleo Paskal, Paskal, Kaleb Udui, Marshall, Washington, David Brunnstrom, Don Durfee, Josie Kao Organizations: U.S, Congress, Marshall, Northern Pacific, Free Association, Washington, Foundation for Defense, Democracies, U.S . Congress, Palau's Finance, Howard, COFA, . State Department, State Department, Pacific, Forum, Thomson Locations: U.S, Micronesia, Palau, China, Northern, Marshall Islands, Taiwan, Beijing, Washington

☆ US Budget Fight Could Create Opening for China in the Pacific
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

The Biden administration had hoped to see Congress endorse by Sept. 30 new 20-year funding programs for Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau, which after decades of relative neglect now find themselves at the center of a U.S. battle for influence with China in the Northern Pacific. The stopgap "continuing resolution" (CR) that prevented a federal government shutdown does not include approval for this new program, however, and while it maintains federal services to the COFA states, it leaves holes in other parts of their budgets. "Both are countries that recognize Taiwan and are key components of U.S. defense architecture in the Pacific," she said. Paskal said Palau's funding under its existing COFA had dwindled as it approached its final year and it had been banking on funds from the new package to help cover budget deficits. The Washington embassies of Palau and the Marshall islands did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Persons: David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON, Biden, Cleo Paskal, Paskal, Kaleb Udui, Marshall, Washington, David Brunnstrom, Don Durfee, Josie Kao Organizations: U.S, Congress, Marshall, Northern Pacific, Free Association, Washington, Foundation for Defense, Democracies, U.S . Congress, Palau's Finance, Howard, COFA, . State Department, State Department, Pacific, Forum Summit Locations: U.S, Micronesia, Palau, China, Northern, Marshall Islands, Taiwan, Beijing, Washington

☆ Marshall Islands says US must address nuclear legacy for deal on future ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Marshall Islands' President David Kabua arrives to address the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 20, 2023. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz Acquire Licensing RightsUNITED NATIONS, Sept 20 (Reuters) - The president of the Marshall Islands said on Wednesday his Pacific island nation was "cautiously optimistic" it could soon finalize a deal on future ties with the United States, but repeated a call for Washington to address the legacy of massive nuclear testing in the 1940s and 50s. The Marshall Islands is one of three sparsely populated Pacific island nations covered by so-called Compacts of Free Association (COFAs) with the United States. The foreign minister of the Marshall Islands called in July for more U.S. money to deal with the nuclear legacy to enable the renewal of its COFA, the economic terms of which expire on Sept. 30. Chief U.S. negotiator Joseph Yun has proposed Congress approve the total amount by Sept. 30, even without a final agreement with the Marshall Islands.

Persons: David Kabua, Eduardo Munoz, MOUs, Joseph Yun, East Asia Daniel Kritenbrink, Joe Biden, David Brunnstrom, Lincoln Organizations: General Assembly, REUTERS, UNITED NATIONS, Marshall, Free Association, Pacific, United Nations General Assembly, Chief, East Asia, Marshall Islanders, U.S, White, Thomson Locations: Marshall, New York City, U.S, United States, Washington, Micronesia, Palau, China, Pacific, New York, Bikini

☆ Marshall Islands Says US Must Address Nuclear Legacy for Deal on Future Ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The president of the Marshall Islands said on Wednesday his Pacific island nation was "cautiously optimistic" it could soon finalize a deal on future ties with the United States, but repeated a call for Washington to address the legacy of massive nuclear testing in the 1940s and 50s. The Marshall Islands is one of three sparsely populated Pacific island nations covered by so-called Compacts of Free Association (COFAs) with the United States. The foreign minister of the Marshall Islands called in July for more U.S. money to deal with the nuclear legacy to enable the renewal of its COFA, the economic terms of which expire on Sept. 30. Marshall Islands President David Kabua told the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York his country wanted to continue its free association with the United States but Washington "must realize that the Marshallese people require that the nuclear issue will be addressed." Chief U.S. negotiator Joseph Yun has proposed Congress approve the total amount by Sept. 30, even without a final agreement with the Marshall Islands.

Persons: David Kabua, MOUs, Joseph Yun, East Asia Daniel Kritenbrink, Joe Biden, David Brunnstrom, Lincoln Organizations: UNITED NATIONS, Reuters, Marshall, Free Association, Pacific, United Nations General Assembly, Chief, East Asia, Marshall Islanders, U.S, White Locations: United States, Washington, Marshall, U.S, Micronesia, Palau, China, Pacific, New York, Bikini

☆ US seeks trade panel to resolve labor conflict at Mexican mine
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The logo of mining and infrastructure firm Grupo Mexico is pictured at its headquarters in Mexico City, Mexico, August 8, 2017. In a statement, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) said it disagrees with the Mexican government's determination. "It is appropriate to request a panel to verify the facility's compliance with Mexican labor laws," the USTR said. Companies have closely watched U.S. labor complaints play out since the 2020 start of the USMCA, which replaced NAFTA. Reporting by Daina Beth Solomon in Mexico City and Paul Grant in Washington; Additional reporting by Brendan O'Boyle in Mexico City; Editing by Dan Whitcomb, Andy Sullivan & Shri NavaratnamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ginnette, Daina Beth Solomon, Paul Grant, Brendan O'Boyle, Dan Whitcomb, Andy Sullivan Organizations: Grupo, REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, U.S, Grupo Mexico's, U.S . Trade Representative, Companies, Miners, Grupo Mexico, Thomson Locations: Grupo Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico, WASHINGTON, MEXICO, Grupo Mexico's San Martin, United States, Canada, Mexican, San Martin, U.S, Washington

☆ Opinion | ‘They Are Not Going to Settle for the Second-Best Trump’
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Thomas B. Edsall | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

DeSantis saying he’s going to start “slitting throats” reminded me of Romney’s “severely conservative.” While DeSantis’s is a dangerous escalation of violent imagery, they both sound bizarre and unnatural. At a more fundamental level, Bateman wrote:It’s not at all clear that what most Republican voters (rather than donors) want is a mainstream and party credentialed version of Trump. The problem with this approach, Ayres continued, is that “the Always Trump voters are ‘Always Trump’ for a reason — they are not going to settle for the second-best Trump if they can get the real thing.”Geoff Garin, a Democratic pollster, wrote:There is no room for DeSantis or anyone else to outflank Trump on the right, where Trump has his most loyal base. Candidates can argue that Trump is insufficiently conservative on some issues, but that it not the point for Trump loyalists. Candidates can try to echo the ugliness of Trump’s rhetoric, but that too misses what really draws these voters to Trump.

Persons: Trump, Romney’s “, Bateman, It’s, Trump’s, ” David O, Sears, “, Archie Bunker, Whit Ayres, Republican pollster, DeSantis, RFK Jr, Ayres, Geoff Garin, MAGA, Frances Lee, ” Lee, ” Organizations: Yale, Harvard, Trump, Republican, Derby, Wimbledon, NPR, Ivy League, for Disease Control, Democratic, Trump loyalists, Republicans Locations: Ukraine, Princeton

☆ US lawmakers back closer coordination with Pacific islands to counter China
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( David Brunnstrom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The sparsely populated nations, whose territories cover vast areas of the Pacific, have relations with the United States governed by so-called Compacts of Free Association. "The strategic location of these islands is integral to our national security, but the lack of direct security channels between our nations creates risk," she added. An Ernst aide said Palau had already established a national security council and the other COFA states were actively considering doing so. He noted that the U.S. has significant military installations on the islands, including high-powered radar on Palau and its main long-range missile testing site in the Marshall Islands. The councils would comprise members of respective COFA states and make use of Pentagon-approved communications equipment to prevent Chinese espionage and allow sharing of intelligence, he said.

Persons: reconvenes, Leah Millis, Joni Ernst, Beijing's, Democrats Mazie Hirono, Tim Kaine, Chris Van Hollen, Ernst, Palau, Joni Ernst's, David Brunnstrom, Louise Heavens Organizations: U.S . Capitol, Republican, REUTERS, Defense, Marshall, Free Association, U.S, Reuters, Democrats, Pentagon, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, China, Palau, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, United States, Washington, Marshall, Pacific, U.S, Solomon Islands

☆ Biden nominates China specialist to be ambassador to strategic Marshall Islands
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, July 11 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden on Tuesday nominated a senior career diplomat to be U.S. ambassador to the Marshall Islands, a strategic Pacific territory that has become a focus for competition with China. A Chinese speaker, Stone also worked previously as coordinator of efforts to counter Chinese malign economic influence and as acting deputy assistant secretary for China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Mongolia. Meanwhile, Chinese diplomats have been courting the region and China's construction and mining companies have expanded their business in Pacific island nations. In May, the U.S. said it had renewed COFA terms with Micronesia and Palau and its chief negotiator told Reuters then he hoped to finalize a deal with the Marshall Islands, whose COFA is due to expire this year, in coming weeks. Last year, more than 100 arms-control, environmental and other activist groups urged the Biden administration to formally apologize to the Marshall Islands and provide fair compensation.

Persons: Joe Biden, Laura Stone, Stone, China's, Biden, David Brunnstrom, Sandra Maler Organizations: State Department's Office, Free Association, Washington, Marshall, Reuters, Marshall Islanders, U.S, Thomson Locations: Marshall, China, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mongolia, U.S, Pacific, Micronesia, Palau, Bikini

☆ The Art of Translation
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Sophie Hughes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +13 min

The |of Translation The undefined|of Translation The undefined|of Translation The undefined|of Translation See how a translator carries a book from one language to another, line by line. Much like a crossword, a translation isn’t finished until all the answers are present and correct, with each conditioning the others. Below are two attempts to show the thought processes involved in the kind of translation I do. Nobody would say “the truth, the truth, the truth” in English. Without it, the translation is faithful to the meaning of the Spanish clause, but it feels stale, spiritless, not faithful to the voice.

Persons: isn’t, Fernanda Melchor’s, ”, I’m, I’d, Munra, I’ve, Alia Trabucco, sours, Señora Mara, Mara, dio, patted, It’s, “ Joy, there’s Organizations: paz descanse, Google Locations: Mexican, Chilean, alegría

☆ US to sign strategic pacts with two Pacific states, hopes for third in weeks
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( David Brunnstrom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, May 20 (Reuters) - The United States will sign new strategic pacts with the Pacific island states of Palau and Micronesia early next week and hopes to do so with the Marshall islands in coming weeks, the U.S. presidential envoy negotiating the deals said. As anticipated, he was unable to conclude the deal with the Marshall Islands. "We have made progress over my three-day visit to Marshall Islands and we hope to sign an agreement with the Marshall Islands in the coming weeks," he said. Chinese diplomats have been courting the region and China's construction and mining companies have expanded their business in many Pacific island nations. Yun said last month "topline" agreements would provide the three COFA states with a total of about $6.5 billion over 20 years.

☆ U.S. negotiator says Biden would be warmly welcomed in Pacific
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, April 28 (Reuters) - The United States needs to accelerate diplomatic "catch up" with the Pacific island region in the face of Chinese competition, a U.S. diplomat said on Friday, adding that he was sure President Joe Biden would be warmly welcomed there if he decided to visit. "Obviously for the Pacific, I am sure they would welcome President Biden, if he were to go there," Yun told the Hudson Institute. A Pacific islands source told Reuters that Biden was also expected to meet with more than a dozen Pacific islands leaders, but the White House National Security Council has not responded to request for comment on the plans. Yun said the level of Chinese coercion in the region that is crucial to U.S. national security, but that had been neglected by the United States, is concerning. "So now we're playing ... a little bit of catch up, I would say, and but you know, we need to accelerate our catch up."

☆ U.S., Mexico agree on worker rights plan at Mexican auto parts factory
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, March 31 (Reuters) - The U.S. and Mexico on Friday announced an agreement to address a U.S. labor trade complaint at the VU Manufacturing auto parts plant in northern Mexico that requires the firm to allow free association rights for the factory's workers. The U.S. Department of Labor said in a statement the agreement "includes a commitment by VU to create a climate that promotes respect for workers' choice of union representation and is free of interference in union activities to the detriment of the most representative union." Reporting by David Lawder Editing by Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. aims for over $7 billion in aid for 20-year Pacific islands compacts
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Under those pacts, first agreed in the 1980s, the United States retains responsibility for the islands' defense and exclusive access to huge swaths of the Pacific. Current COFA provisions expire in 2024 for Palau, and later in 2023 for the Marshall Islands and the FSM. That included $6.5 billion in direct economic assistance and $634 million for the unfunded costs of extending the U.S. Postal Service in the three island countries, she said. "Absent the new economic assistance provisions, we really leave the three countries open to predatory behavior, coercive behavior," she said, alluding to China's efforts to court Pacific island countries.

☆ Mexico finds 'serious irregularities' in labor probe at VU Manufacturing
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Companies Carparts.Com Inc FollowMEXICO CITY, March 16 (Reuters) - Mexico's government on Thursday said it concluded there were "serious irregularities" hindering free association and collective bargaining at U.S. auto parts maker VU Manufacturing's operations in northern Mexico. "It was determined that there are serious irregularities and decisive actions on the part of the company to obstruct the free exercise of the rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining within VU Manufacturing," the government said in a statement. It added that it would seek to ensure workers can fully exercise their collective rights without disrupting bilateral trade. Michigan-based VU Manufacturing did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The U.S. government earlier said it received a petition in December from two Mexican labor organizations stating that workers at VU Manufacturing were being denied the right of free association and collective bargaining.

☆ Pacific's Micronesia in talks to switch ties from Beijing to Taiwan- letter
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

We can and will receive this, over a three year period, if and when we establish diplomatic relations with Taiwan," he wrote. In the letter, Panuelo accused China of waging "political warfare" in his country, and bribing his government's officials. Beijing and Taiwan have a history of competing in the Pacific islands, where four of Taiwan's 14 diplomatic allies are located. Two Pacific island nations, Kiribati and Solomon Islands, cut diplomatic ties with democratically ruled Taiwan in 2019 after offers of aid from China, which views Taiwan as its own territory. Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei and Beijing newsroom; Editing by Lincoln Feast.

☆ With China looming, U.S. signs MoU with another Pacific island state
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The State Department announcement means Washington has now signed MoUs on future assistance with three key Pacific island countries as it negotiates cooperation agreement renewals that gives the United States access to huge swaths of the Pacific for defense purposes. Washington said it signed MoUs last month with the Marshall Islands and Palau and reached consensus on terms of U.S. economic assistance, but Washington has not provided details. The U.S. move comes as Washington and its allies are concerned about China's military ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. Under Compacts of Free Association (COFA) first agreed in the 1980s, Washington retains responsibility for the defense of the three island nations while providing them with economic assistance. Though the island nations still enjoy close ties to Washington, critics warn that a failure to finalize economic aid could spur them to look to China for funding or increased trade and tourism.

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