President Joe Biden officially announced the United States' recognition of the Cook Islands and Niue in the Pacific Ocean on Monday during a meeting with regional leaders, in an effort to reduce China's influence.
Biden stated that Washington recognizes them as "independent and sovereign" states and will establish diplomatic relations with them, emphasizing that this step will contribute to supporting a "free and open Indo-Pacific region."
The announcement came at the beginning of a summit with the "Pacific Islands Forum," consisting of 18 countries, during which US officials stated that the President would take a stronger stance on the region.