This will be the first time a US president has held such a meeting. The three leaders will also meet the secretaries of state, defence, the interior and veterans’ affairs. This comes as US-China multi-front competition deepens, including a growing rivalry in the Pacific.
Washington will seek deals to fill military ‘flexible basing’ gaps between Singapore and Guam.
Micronesia and the Marshall Islands will likely want fewer powers reserved for Washington in any new, post-CFA deal.
Larger regional economies will be better able to reject Chinese economic offers if they wish.
Australia’s Pacific pivot could be slowed by this month’s election and Pacific criticism of Canberra’s climate policies.
Congress will support joint military drills and developing port facilities, especially if the China ‘threat’ gets closer.
