第二位先生道格·艾姆霍夫(Doug Emhoff)周一成为访问萨摩亚的最高规格的美国官员，他希望强调拜登政府对太平洋岛国的承诺，以遏制中国在该地区的影响力。
“拜登总统和哈里斯副总统致力于我们与萨摩亚的伙伴关系。我们的关系从未如此牢固。我们将进一步加强它。我们是邻居和朋友，”根据白宫发布的谈话记录，艾姆霍夫说。
“我们有共同的目标:应对气候危机、投资经济发展和赋予妇女权力。我们两国人民之间的联系由来已久。我来这里是为了帮助加强这些联系。”
这次历史性的萨摩亚之行是在埃姆霍夫访问新西兰之后进行的，在新西兰，他率领总统代表团参加了2023年国际足联女足世界杯开幕式世界杯，目前正在进行中。
白宫说，在访问期间，埃姆霍夫参加了一个与妇女参与商业发展公司的领导层和企业家的会议，以了解其项目和产品。
埃姆霍夫还会见了萨摩亚代总理图阿拉·特瓦加·约塞福·波尼法西奥。两人讨论了气候变化和恢复力的必要性，以及增强妇女权能的重要性。
“第二位先生重申了美国继续扩大与该地区接触并发展美萨伙伴关系的承诺，”白宫在谈到此次会晤时说。
更多:布林肯前往汤加，新西兰，澳大利亚作为美国转向印度太平洋战略超速
自上任以来，拜登政府一直寻求加强在印度-太平洋地区的参与，作为抗衡中国日益增长的军事和经济影响力的战略的一部分。
在访问期间，拜登政府宣布将从美国国际开发署人道主义援助局提供260万美元，用于加强包括萨摩亚在内的太平洋地区国家的减灾工作。
该声明建立在政府早期其他声明的基础上，如在2020年初因新冠肺炎疫情而撤离世界各地后，将和平队返回萨摩亚。
52年来，白宫第一次承诺在该国派驻大使。
Second gentleman Doug Emhoff makes historic visit to Samoa
Second gentleman Doug Emhoff became the highest-profile U.S. official to visit Samoa Monday, looking to underscore the Biden administration's commitment to Pacific island nations in an effort to curb China's influence in the region.
"President Biden and Vice President Harris are committed to our partnership with Samoa. Our relationship has never been stronger. And we will strengthen it further. We are neighbors and friends," Emhoff said, according to a transcript of remarks released by the White House.
"We have shared goals: tackling the climate crisis, investing in economic development and empowering women. And we have long standing people-to-people ties. I am here to help strengthen these ties."
The historic trip to Samoa came on the heels of Emhoff's visit to New Zealand, where he led the Presidential Delegation for the Opening Ceremony of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, currently underway.
During the visit, Emhoff participated in a meeting with the leadership and entrepreneurs of Women in Business Development, Inc. to learn about its programs and products, the White House said.
Emhoff also met with Acting Prime Minister of Samoa Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio. The pair discussed climate change and the need for resilience, as well as the importance of empowering women.
"The second gentleman reiterated the United States' commitment to continue to expand engagement with the region and grow the U.S.-Samoan partnership," the White House said of the meeting.
MORE: Blinken heads to Tonga, New Zealand, Australia as US shifts Indo-Pacific strategy into overdrive
Since taking office, the Biden administration has sought to enhance engagement in the Indo-Pacific region as part of the strategy to counter China's growing military and economic influence.
During the visit, the Biden administration announced it will provide $2.6 million from USAID's Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance to increase disaster risk reduction in Pacific region countries including Samoa.
That announcement builds on other earlier ones from the administration, such as returning the Peace Corps to Samoa after it was evacuated worldwide in early 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the first time in 52 years, The White House has also committed to placing an ambassador in the country.
