On November 23, 2024, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced ongoing negotiations for a bilateral Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) during his historic visit to Fiji. This agreement aims to enhance military cooperation, allowing U.S. forces to deploy and train with Fijian military personnel regularly.
The U.S. has committed $4.9 million to support Fiji's military modernization and has signed a logistics cooperation deal as part of this initiative. Austin's visit marks the first by a U.S. Secretary of Defense to the strategically significant island nation, which is positioned in a region experiencing heightened competition between the United States and China.
Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka expressed optimism about the strengthened ties, indicating a desire for ongoing collaboration with the U.S., particularly as the Trump administration prepares for its new term. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of peace and security in the region.
This development occurs against the backdrop of Fiji's recent agreements with China, including a policing cooperation deal, highlighting the complex geopolitical dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region.