Spending fight imperils US Pacific island funding meant to counter China

A plane carrying then-U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo makes its landing approach on Pohnpei International Airport in Kolonia, Federated States of Micronesia August 5, 2019. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights WASHINGTON, Nov 29 (Reuters) – U.S. budget wrangling could further delay funding approval for new agreements with Pacific island nations meant to counter Chinese influence, creating an opportunity for Beijing in the strategically vital region, congressional and other sources say. After years of painstaking negotiations, the Biden administration signed new 20-year funding programs this year for the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Marshall Islands (RMI) and Palau…