Palau says partnership with the US makes it safer as tensions grow

Palau’s President says his country is safer , not more at risk, because of its close ties with the United States.

Speaking with William Terite during his first official visit to New Zealand, Surangel Whipps Jr. said the partnership with Washington is a key part of protecting his nation in an increasingly contested region.

“I believe it’s safer,” Whipps said when asked whether alignment with the US makes Palau more vulnerable.

Across the Pacific, countries are facing growing pressure as competition between the United States and China intensifies.

For small island states like Palau, the challenge is how to protect their sovereignty while maintaining economic and political balance.

Whipps pointed to Palau’s Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the US, which gives Washington responsibility for the country’s defence.

Listen to Surangel Whipps Jr's full interview below.

He said recent upgrades including radar sites and improvements to ports and airports are about protection, not provocation.

“[They] are just ensuring that they can better defend Palau,” the President told Terite. “That's the way I look at it.

“I think many times you say, well, that's bringing risk. Well, I think to be idle, you're susceptible. So we like to say presence is deterrence. You want peace, you have to show strength.”

New Zealand Foreign Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters met with Whipps in Palau in 2024. Photo/PMN News/Ala Vailala

At the same time, Whipps acknowledged growing concerns about activity in Palau’s waters, particularly involving China.

He said there have been incidents of vessels entering Palau’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) without notice as well as disputes over maritime claims.

In August 2024, Palauan authorities reported an unauthorised entry by a Chinese vessel into its waters.

In 2021, another Chinese survey ship was tracked operating in Palau’s EEZ for several days. Authorities said at the time they were concerned about possible seabed mapping.

Palau has also reported other maritime encounters in its EEZ in recent years, which it says highlight the need for stronger monitoring of waters.

Despite these incidents, China has rejected allegations of wrongdoing in the region, with a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying its vessels operate lawfully and within international laws.

Palau is an independent archipelago nation in the western Pacific Ocean, renowned as a premier diving and eco-tourism destination. Photo/Supplied

Palau continues to rely on international visitors, including tourists from China, and is working to avoid overdependence on any one country.

“So one of the things that we've worked very hard on is ensuring that we have a diversified tourism market so we're not so dependent on one country,” Whipps said.

“So in striking a balance, I think we need to make sure that we're managing and mitigating against all those risks so that no one country is saying, you must do this, otherwise we'll retaliate.”

Whipps is due to host the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum where regional leaders are expected to discuss shared challenges including security and external influence.

Analysts say Pacific countries are trying to walk a careful line, keeping long-standing security ties with partners like the US, Australia, and New Zealand while also managing growing economic links with China.

Whipps meeting with NZ Governor-General, Dame Cindy Kiro. Photo/PMN News/William Terite

Whipps says the priority for Palau is clear. “For us, it's important to have partners that are willing to defend our sovereignty because we would never be able to protect ourselves.

“So our strategic relationship with the United States is important for our security and our sovereignty.”