On commercial diplomacy, the United States is shifting assistance toward private-sector-led growth, including efforts with Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Taiwan to connect every Pacific Islands Forum country to a trusted undersea cable network. A second Pacific Investment Summit is scheduled to be hosted in early 2027.
Failures involving agentic AI systems, he said, could disrupt essential services, fracture communications, destabilise critical infrastructure and undermine democratic institutions. Entire populations could lose access to clean water, heating and financial services.
Mace said the United States is supportive of Vietnam’s plans to host APEC in 2027 and sees the year as an opportunity to deepen economic ties in Southeast Asia. Ongoing U.S. priorities include expanding energy exports and American AI and digital technologies.
Colby, who is visiting the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia this week, said discussions with Indonesian leaders had created new opportunities for a mutually respectful partnership. He stressed that the United States was not asking countries to choose sides, but instead sought to help them strengthen their ability to protect their own security and territorial integrity.