Fiji: EU highly likely to increase political influence through economic levers

Fiji will host the first ever European Union-Pacific Business Forum in September 2025. The EU Ambassador to the Pacific, Barbara Plinkert, stated the forum intends to deepen economic integration and discuss investment, regulation, and infrastructure. There will be a focus on digital connectivity, food processing, agriculture, and the ocean economy. Ambassador Plinkert stated that the EU will continue strengthening economic ties as Fiji faces 30%+ tariffs on goods exported to the United States. Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Trade Minister has stated that Fiji’s regulations date back to the 1980s, and the government is seeking to update and move many services online as part of its 2035 digitisation strategy. Fiji’s top exports include bottled water, wood products, fish, kava, and sugar. Its trade with the EU totalled $NZD7.5billion in 2024.

Assessment: Economic power is a major lever for the EU to increase its political influence in the Indo-Pacific region – Fiji’s GDP is approximately $NZD9.1billion and therefore relatively small EU or other state’s investments have a significant economic and political impact. The current Fijian Government has established digital services as a focus area in addition to increasing traditional primary industries. France has similarly been focusing state level efforts to increase its influence in Vanuatu through scientific and disaster resilience cooperation.