Game of Realms and Rare Earth: How Trump gets the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands government seeks increased international recognition, with Prime Minister Brown securing US recognition of their sovereign independence in 2023, bypassing New Zealand’s Realm status. Despite New Zealand’s lack of involvement, the Cook Islands also signed secretive agreements with China, moving away from New Zealand and towards a stronger relationship with China. This shift in alliances may lead to the Cook Islands becoming a strategic resource for global powers like the US, similar to how Micronesian states have a compact of free association with the US for defense rights and access to resources.

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