More information about Fiji is available on the Fiji Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.

U.S.-FIJI RELATIONS

The United States established diplomatic relations with Fiji in 1971 following its independence from the United Kingdom. Relations between Fiji and the United States have traditionally been good. The two countries share a multi-ethnic heritage and cooperate on climate change, international peacekeeping operations, and development issues. The U.S. Peace Corps is active in Fiji.

In September 2014, Fiji held elections that restored a democratically elected government and parliament to Fiji for the first time since 2006. The United States participated in a Multinational Observer Group representing 13 countries which assessed the elections to be broadly representative of the will of the Fijian people. After 2014 elections, the United States re-initiated security assistance and lifted restrictions on U.S. financing assistance to the Government of Fiji that were put in place following the 2006 coup.

U.S. Assistance to Fiji

The United States provided $2.2 million to Fiji for reconstruction assistance after Super-Typhoon Winston in February 2016. Fiji receives Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to equip its military and participates in the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program, which sends Fijian officers and senior enlisted personnel to professional military education and leadership development courses in the United States. The United States contributes U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy air assets to regional Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) operations that help Fiji protect earnings from fishing licenses in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Bilateral Economic Relations

The United States has been among Fiji's principal trading partners. The main products imported to the U.S. from Fiji include bottled water, tuna, and sugar. U.S. exports to Fiji are mainly machinery, transport equipment, and food. Fiji and the United States do not have a bilateral investment agreement. Tourism and remittances, including from the United States, contribute significantly to the Fijian economy. Fiji is a party to the U.S.-Pacific Islands Multilateral Tuna Fisheries Treaty, which provides access for U.S. fishing vessels in exchange for a license fee from the U.S. industry. Under a separate Economic Assistance Agreement associated with the Treaty, the United States government currently provides $21 million per year to Pacific Island parties.

Fiji's Membership in International Organizations

Fiji and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and World Trade Organization.

Bilateral Representation

The U.S. Ambassador to Fiji is Judith Cefkin; other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.

Fiji maintains an embassy in the United States at 2000 M Street NW, Suite 710, Washington, DC 20036 (tel: 202-337-8320).

More information about Fiji is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:

Department of State Fiji Country Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Fiji Page
U.S. Embassy: Fiji
USAID Fiji Page
History of U.S. Relations With Fiji
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
Investment Climate Statements
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Export.gov International Offices Page
Travel and Business Information