SYDNEY — In a heartfelt pledge to stand by its Pacific neighbours, Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced that Pacific Island nations will continue to enjoy tariff-free access to the Australian market—a reassurance delivered with warmth and commitment during her speech in Suva, Fiji, on Tuesday.
Speaking from the Pacific Islands Forum headquarters, Wong emphasized Australia’s unwavering support at a time when the region faces tough challenges—including deepening climate change, global aid reductions, and economic instability.
“For over 40 years, tariff-free access to Australia has helped the Pacific thrive,” she said. “And I want to be clear today: that will not change.”
Her remarks come just as Fiji grapples with a steep 32% tariff imposed by the United States on its key exports—bottled water, sugar, and fish—an economic hit felt deeply across the islands. Smaller nations like Vanuatu and Nauru have also been burdened with new U.S. tariffs of 22% and 30%, respectively.
Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka voiced his concerns earlier this year during a visit to Washington, highlighting how aid freezes are already taking a toll on the region’s fragile economies.
“The Pacific is under pressure,” Wong acknowledged. “But Australia is and will remain a partner the Pacific can count on.”
Her words weren’t just symbolic. Australia has committed a record-breaking A$2.1 billion ($1.35 billion) in development aid to the Pacific. Importantly, 75 cents of every dollar from Australia’s aid budget will now be dedicated to supporting its regional neighbours.
Wong’s visit, which also includes stops in Vanuatu and Tonga, signals not just diplomatic engagement but a message of solidarity. In contrast to growing Chinese influence and heightened geopolitical interest in the region, Wong stressed that Australia’s commitment is rooted in long-standing friendship, not competition.
“We’re not just offering aid—we’re offering partnership, respect, and reliability,” she said. “Because when our Pacific family thrives, we all thrive.”
