Solomon Islands – United States relations are bilateral relations between Solomon Islands and the United States. Initial relations were forged during World War II with what was then the British Solomon Islands Protectorate during the Japanese occupation, and this relationship remained strong as Solomon Islands gained its independence in 1978. Relations continued until 1993 when post-Cold War budget cuts closed the United States Embassy in Honiara. Beginning in 2022, in an attempt to counter growing Chinese influence in Solomon Islands, the United States has demonstrated increased commitment to the restoration of relations with the country.[1] In February 2023, the United States re-opened its embassy in Honiara.[2]
From the closure of the U.S. embassy in Honiara in 1993 until 2023, the United States did not have an embassy in the Solomon Islands.[1] The U.S. embassy reopened on the Solomon Islands on 2 February 2023.[11]
While not maintaining a diplomatic presence in the nation, U.S. representation is handled by the United States Embassy at Port Moresby where the ambassador is resident and manages relations with Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and Solomon Islands.[12][13] As of 2017, approximately 95 American citizens resided permanently in Solomon Islands.[14]
During a tour of Fiji in February 2022, United States Secretary of StateAntony Blinken announced the decision to reopen the U.S. embassy in Honiara after the closure in 1993.[17][18] On 23 December 2022, the State Department notified Congress of its plans to re-open the U.S Embassy in Solomon Islands after thirty years in response to fears of debt-trap diplomacy by the People's Republic of China.[1] The notice issued by the State Department read "The United States needs a permanent diplomatic presence in Honiara to effectively provide a counterweight to growing [Chinese] influence and deepen our engagement with the region commensurate with its importance." The same notice acknowledged the difficulties following 30 years of disengagement with the island nation, stating "Before [China] becomes strongly embedded in Solomon Islands, now is the opportunity to bolster Solomon Islands' resilience and deepen cooperation on security, democratic governance, and a free and open economy... The absence of an embassy has severely constrained our ability to engage with this strategically situationed country with alacrity and precision."[1]
In August 2022, Solomon Islands stopped a U.S. Coast Guard vessel from visiting, which came as Solomon Islands was rapidly expanding its ties with China under prime minister Mannaseh Sogavare.[19][20] In September 2022, Solomon Islands did not endorse a joint declaration that the Biden administration planned to unveil at the U.S.-Pacific Island Country Summit.[20]
Assistance
The two nations belong to a variety of regional organizations, including the Pacific Community and the Pacific Regional Environmental Program. The United States and Solomon Islands also cooperate under the U.S.-Pacific Islands multilateral Tuna Fisheries Treaty, under which the U.S. grants $18 million per year to Pacific island parties and the latter provide access to U.S. fishing vessels.[3]
The U.S. Coast Guard provides training to Solomon Islands border protection officers, and the U.S. military also provides appropriate military education and training courses to national security officials.[3]
The U.S. Peace Corps suspended its twenty-nine year program in June 2000 due to the ethnic violence and breakdown in governance. More than 70 volunteers, serving throughout the country in rural community development, education, environmental management, and youth programs, were evacuated.[3]
U.S. trade with Solomon Islands is very limited. In 2001, U.S. exports to Solomon Islands were less than 5% of all exports, while Solomon Islands exports to the United States in that year were negligible.[3]
^Hayashi, pp. 62–64; Griffith, p. 268; Frank, pp. 534–539; Toland, pp. 424–426; Dull, p. 261; Morison, The Struggle for Guadalcanal pp. 318–321. During the conference with Sugiyama and Nagano, the Emperor asked Nagano, "Why was it that it took the Americans just a few days to build an air base and the Japanese more than a month or so?" (The IJN originally occupied Guadalcanal and began constructing the airfield). Nagano apologized and replied that the Americans had used machines while the Japanese had to rely on manpower. (Toland, p. 426).