FSM President Simina Meets Former U.S. President Trump on UNGA Sidelines, Reaffirming Strong Ties

High-Level Meeting in New York

President Wesley W. Simina of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and First Lady Ancelly Simina held a significant meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. The encounter took place at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel, on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level week in New York City. The discussions served to reaffirm the strong and enduring friendship between the FSM and the United States, a relationship significantly underpinned by the Compact of Free Association (COFA).

The Enduring Compact of Free Association

The meeting highlighted the critical importance of the Compact of Free Association, a foundational agreement governing the relationship between the FSM and the United States. Under COFA, the U.S. provides the FSM with substantial

• economic assistance
• defense guarantees
• access to certain U.S. federal programs

in exchange for U.S. defense and operating rights within FSM territory, and denial of access to FSM by other nations. This strategic partnership has been a cornerstone of stability in the Pacific region for decades. Recent renewals of the COFA agreements, formally signed on October 16, 2023, ensure continued financial assistance and cooperation for a 20-year period, with the FSM allocated approximately $3.3 billion.

FSM's Active Role on the Global Stage

President Wesley W. Simina, who assumed office as the 10th President of the FSM on May 11, 2023, has been an active participant in international forums. His presence at the UNGA High-Level week underscores the FSM's commitment to global diplomacy and its advocacy for issues vital to small island developing states, such as climate change, ocean conservation, and international security. The meeting with former President Trump further emphasizes the FSM's proactive engagement with key international partners to advance its national interests and regional stability.

Strengthening Bilateral Ties

The interaction between President Simina and former President Trump, alongside their respective First Ladies, serves as a symbolic gesture of the deep-rooted ties between the Federated States of Micronesia and the United States. Such high-level engagements, even on the sidelines of major international events, are crucial for maintaining open lines of communication and reinforcing the mutual commitment to shared values and strategic objectives that define the unique relationship between the two nations. The reaffirmation of friendship and the underpinning role of the Compact of Free Association signal continued cooperation in the years ahead.