“Pacific summit is Biden’s chance to demonstrate U.S. soft power” is an opinion article written by DKI APCSS faculty member Alexander Vuving and published in September 2022 on Nikkei Asia.

This article introduces how the US is beginning to work in the Indo-Pacific region again and reach out to Pacific Island nations to strengthen diplomatic relations. Vuving also offers suggestions on how the U.S. and its allies should seek sustainable influence in the Pacific region.

In addition, this paper provides a brief explanation of China’s approach to forming relations with other countries in the region as well as some of the actions China has taken in regards to the concept of reciprocity, or mutual back-scratching.

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Dr. Vuving is a professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies. The views expressed in this article are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of DKI APCSS, the U.S. Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.