Prime Minister James Marape held a series of meetings with senior US officials on 10 July, reinforcing strategic ties between Papua New Guinea and the United States in areas including trade, investment, security and fisheries cooperation.
He engaged with representatives from the Pentagon, US Border Protection and the US Coast Guard, culminating in a key meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, who offered apologies on behalf of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, then attending the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Kuala Lumpur. Deputy Secretary Landau also confirmed that he will represent the United States at Papua New Guinea’s 50th anniversary celebrations in September.
“The discussions were highly productive,” said Marape. “The US administration under President Donald Trump is shifting its focus from traditional aid to trade and investment partnerships — a direction that aligns with Papua New Guinea’s development agenda.”
He welcomed the continued presence of American firms such as Newmont, ExxonMobil and Hilton, and called for further US investment in fisheries, energy, hospitality and manufacturing. He also emphasised US involvement in the fisheries sector through regional partnerships led by the Forum Fisheries Agency and the East New Britain Initiative, which offers land for joint Pacific fisheries ventures.
Marape reaffirmed PNG’s national moratorium on deep‑sea mining, emphasising: “Our waters are breeding grounds for tuna, and we are committed to environmental stewardship. Until comprehensive marine ecological studies are completed, no deep‑sea mining activity will proceed.”
He also underscored growing benefits from the Defence Cooperation Agreement between PNG and the US, noting that plans are already underway for a fuel‑storage facility to enhance energy security and ensure supply reliability during emergencies. “We are seeing real progress through this agreement,” Marape said. “Defence cooperation is not only strengthening our military’s capacity but also improving operational readiness, infrastructure and surveillance across the board.”
Discussions with the US Coast Guard and Pentagon officials emphasised enhancing joint maritime patrols to counter illegal fishing, transnational crime and illicit trade—including unauthorised arms, drugs and other contraband. “There was strong consensus at all my meetings on the need to deepen security cooperation to protect Papua New Guinea’s territorial waters, deter illegal activities, and prevent the movement of illicit substances in and out of our country,” he added. “We are committed to working closely with the US Navy and our regional partners to strengthen maritime security.”
That evening, Marape met with senior executives of Newmont Mining, formally presenting PNG’s response to the company’s proposals for the Wafi‑Golpu project. He said: “I invited Newmont and the full State Negotiating Team to convene in PNG for a dedicated, week‑long negotiation process. Together, we aim to resolve all outstanding matters and finalise a joint‑venture agreement that will unlock long‑term benefits for our people and our economy.”
