US and Micronesia to renew Cofa pact as Washington seeks to counter China in Pacific

Formal signing to take place in Papua New Guinea next week when Joe Biden holds summit with Pacific leaders to emphasise commitment to region

The US and Micronesia have agreed to renew their strategic pact known as Cofa, Joe Biden’s presidential envoy Joseph Yun has said, adding that he hopes for similar progress with Palau as the US shores up support among Pacific island countries to counter competition from China.

Yun said the Compact of Free Association with Micronesia would be signed on 22 May at a ceremony in Papua New Guinea, attended by the US president, Joe Biden, and the new Micronesian president, Wesley Simina.