US-Pacific Engagement and the Biden Presidency
The Limits of a China-Centred Approach
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 9075146 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Terence Wesley-Smith (Goldsmiths University of London, corresponding author), Gerard A Finin (Schlumberger (Ireland), corresponding author) |
| Year | 2021 |
| Volume | 56 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 437-458 |
| Publication date | 2021-10-02 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Pacific History (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0022-3344 • E-ISSN: 1469-9605 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/00223344.2021.1992268 |
| OpenAlex | W3213346935 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
Concern about China’s growing power is prompting the US to propose unprecedented spending in the Pacific Islands region. This article examines why and how the US seeks to advance engagement and explores implications for island nations. It traces the evolution of America’s Pacific presence and analyses the Indo-Pacific Strategy which informs the new approach in fundamental ways. It argues that the strategy is problematic because it is driven by security concerns not shared by island leaders and increases the potential for conflict. It also suggests that the proposed policies are designed primarily to counter China, scattershot, and unlikely to address the priorities of the island nations themselves. As island nations are being drawn into a militarized strategy not of their making, the article proposes that it is time to recognize the dangers of a China-centric, transactional approach, and consider more appropriate ways for the US to build enduring regional relations
Asia pacific · China · Development economics · Economics · Economy · Foreign policy · Great power · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Power (physics) · Presidency · Sociology · Island Studies and Pacific Affairs · Law
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2024 - 2025 (2) |
| Highly cited | No |