U.S. State Department announces two Palau projects with Taiwan

The United States has announced more than $150 million in support for Pacific island countries while highlighting two projects in Palau that involve Taiwan.

The projects are the relocation of the Palau National Hospital and a drinking-water sampling and training program. The hospital initiative brings together the United States, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Taiwan to support the development and operation of a new, modern facility.

The drinking-water program will pair the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with Taiwan. The partners will conduct comprehensive sampling of Palau’s drinking-water sources and wells, while training water operators and environmental laboratory regulators in proper sampling techniques.

The State Department announced the initiatives during the Pacific Islands Forum partners dialogue. It described U.S. security and prosperity commitments to Pacific island countries as firm and lasting, and said they form a core pillar of the “America First” foreign policy. Under President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the department said the United States was prioritising commercial diplomacy and reshaping overseas assistance to support U.S. businesses and infrastructure that can promote private-sector-led economic growth.