Washington has publicly endorsed Taiwan's continued participation in the Pacific Islands Forum, a win for Taipei and a fresh irritant for Beijing.

• The State Department called Taiwan a reliable, democratic partner and said it strongly supports its role in the forum.
• A US briefing on Pacific engagement highlighted Taiwan-backed projects in Palau, including a new national hospital site and drinking water testing.
• Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung welcomed the support and said Taiwan wants to widen joint work with the US in the Pacific and beyond.
• Washington framed Pacific security and prosperity as a core pillar of its "America First" foreign policy, pairing its commercial diplomacy with Taiwan's broader outreach push.

Outlook: Expect Taiwan to lean on US backing as the Palau-hosted forum approaches, with pushback from China likely.