The U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby announced that Prime Minister James Marape met with U.S. President Donald J. Trump during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The historic exchange underscores the strong partnership and close friendship between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the United States.
The meeting follows a landmark visit to Port Moresby by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Admiral Paparo to celebrate 50 years of PNG’s independence and of diplomatic relations with the United States.
Under the first Trump Administration, the United States reprioritised the Pacific Islands region in its foreign policy, advancing shared strategic objectives through economic growth, infrastructure development, connectivity, and security cooperation. The second Trump Administration has renewed its commitment to a free and open Pacific Islands region.
In July 2025, Prime Minister Marape visited Washington, D.C., meeting Vice President JD Vance, Deputy Secretary Landau, and senior defence leaders, including Admiral Christopher Grady. These meetings reaffirmed PNG’s importance to the United States and laid the groundwork for the U.S.-PNG Framework for Strategic Cooperation, signed in Port Moresby during the 50th anniversary celebrations. Following his meeting with President Trump, Prime Minister Marape has now engaged with the full spectrum of U.S. leadership, highlighting PNG’s central role in promoting a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific.
During the September celebrations in Port Moresby, Deputy Secretary Landau hosted a U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Roundtable, announcing a reinvigoration of partnerships and realignment of mutual priorities to deliver concrete benefits for both Americans and Pacific Islanders.
The Framework for Strategic Cooperation sets priorities for the next 50 years of U.S.-PNG relations, covering defence, maritime security, law enforcement, critical minerals, infrastructure, economic and commercial development, and the digital economy.
Security and Law Enforcement Cooperation
On 22 May 2023, the United States and PNG signed the Shiprider Agreement to counter maritime threats such as illegal fishing, drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, and illicit arms transport. Joint patrols under the agreement strengthen maritime governance in the Pacific and deter illegal activity in PNG’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In 2024, U.S. Coast Guard cutters conducted two patrols with PNG authorities, carrying out 14 boardings to safeguard PNG’s maritime resources.
The United States is also investing $11 million in foreign military financing to enhance PNG’s humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, maritime security, domain awareness, and defence force professionalisation. PNG’s participation in the 2025 multilateral Exercise Talisman Sabre, including hosting a component outside Australia for the first time, demonstrates the PNG Defence Force’s growing regional role.
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) will provide a resident advisor from the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) to support police recruitment, training, and retention, aligning with Prime Minister Marape’s law-and-order agenda.
Economic Cooperation and Investment
The Framework also emphasises economic, commercial, and digital collaboration. U.S. businesses are major investors in PNG, including ExxonMobil, Newmont, Coca-Cola, Hilton, and Marriott. The 2022 launch of the American Chamber of Commerce Coral Sea provides an advocacy and networking platform for American companies in the region.
The American DGCI Corporation recently broke ground on a $498 million U.S.-funded fuel storage facility near Port Moresby Harbour. Implemented under the 2023 U.S.-PNG Defence Cooperation Agreement, the facility will create jobs, enhance energy security, and diversify the fuel market with a capacity of over 1.6 million barrels.
The Framework establishes policies to attract U.S. private sector investment, promote sustainable critical minerals development, expand trusted digital infrastructure, and strengthen cybersecurity practices.
Shared History and Future
The U.S.-PNG relationship extends beyond government cooperation to people-to-people connections. The U.S. Embassy facilitates scholarships and visas for PNG students and supports sister city partnerships linking Port Moresby with Long Beach, California, and Madang with Poplar, Wisconsin.
In celebration of PNG’s 50th independence anniversary, five young Papua New Guineans will participate in a three-week International Visitor Leadership Program in November under the theme “Youth in the Political Process,” reflecting investment in future leaders.
Celebrating 50 Years of Partnership
Deputy Secretary Landau and Admiral Paparo’s visit marked both PNG’s 50th Independence Anniversary and the 50th anniversary of U.S.-PNG diplomatic relations. The United States was among the first to recognise PNG’s independence in 1975. Deputy Secretary Landau said, “The United States is proud to mark 50 years of partnership with Papua New Guinea,” while U.S. Ambassador Ann Marie Yastishock emphasised the framework builds on five decades of shared values and vision.
The U.S. Embassy celebrates the meeting between Prime Minister Marape and President Trump, the visit by Deputy Secretary Landau, and the launch of a new era of U.S.-PNG partnership, demonstrating the United States’ commitment to peace, prosperity, and security in PNG and across the Pacific.
