Deputy Secretary Landau Joins Investment Summit, Tours Tonga, Fiji, Samoa

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Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau will travel to Hawaii, Tonga, Fiji, and Samoa from February 22 to March 2, 2026. In Hawaii, Landau and Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), will co-host The Pacific Agenda: Investment, Security, and Shared Prosperity Summit at the East-West Center. Landau will meet with Pacific Island leaders and U.S. business executives to encourage American investment in the region. Following the summit, Landau will travel to Tonga, Fiji, and Samoa for official meetings to highlight commercial initiatives and reaffirm ties between the U.S. and Pacific island nations.

Why it matters

This trip and summit advance the Biden administration's 'America First' priorities by promoting commercial diplomacy, strengthening U.S. partnerships with Pacific Island countries, and expanding collaboration in critical industries like infrastructure, energy, and technology. The U.S. is seeking to counter growing Chinese influence in the strategically important Pacific region.

The details

At the summit in Hawaii, Landau and Paparo will meet with Pacific Island leaders and U.S. business executives to discuss investment opportunities and coordinate regional efforts. Landau will then travel to Tonga, Fiji, and Samoa to meet with traditional leaders and highlight commercial initiatives as part of efforts to reaffirm the U.S.'s ties with Pacific island nations.

• The Pacific Agenda: Investment, Security, and Shared Prosperity Summit will be held from February 22-24, 2026 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
• Landau's trip to the South Pacific will take place from February 25 to March 2, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Following the summit and South Pacific trip, the Biden administration is expected to announce new investment initiatives and partnerships with Pacific Island nations to counter Chinese influence in the region.