America Recognizes the Independence of the Cook Islands and Niue in the Pacific

U.S. President Joe Biden announced today, Monday, that the country will recognize the independence of the Cook Islands and Niue, two small nations in the Pacific, reaffirming a previous declaration by officials. This came during Biden's remarks ahead of a summit with Pacific Island leaders this week as part of a U.S. outreach campaign to prevent further Chinese encroachment in a strategically vital region that Washington has long considered its backyard. Biden stated in a release, "There is a long history of cooperation between the United States and the Cook Islands, dating back to World War II when the U.S. military built airstrips on one of the islands in the atoll." He added, "Today's announcement will enable us to expand this enduring partnership in our pursuit to address the most significant challenges facing our peoples." The White House indicated that the summit will focus on priorities such as climate change, economic growth, sustainable development, public health, and combating illegal fishing.