Arlington, VA – U.S. Trade and Development Agency Deputy Director Thomas R. Hardy will travel to the Philippines, Palau, and Honolulu from February 14-24, 2026, to advance U.S. leadership in strategic nuclear energy and transportation projects in the Indo-Pacific. During the trip, he will announce USTDA funding to support the deployment of U.S. small modular reactor (SMR) technology in the Philippines, expand Palau’s primary airport, and develop transportation projects across the Pacific Islands. In the Philippines, Deputy Director Hardy will participate in the Philippines Bilateral Strategic Dialogue to deepen the U.S.-Philippines alliance. He will also travel to Honolulu to attend the The Pacific Agenda: Investment, Security, And Shared Prosperity Summit to advance infrastructure projects that align with U.S. and Pacific national priorities.
“USTDA works with our Indo-Pacific partners to bring trusted American solutions for critical infrastructure that brings security, prosperity, and connectivity to all our nations in pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” said Deputy Director Hardy. “These projects reaffirm our shared resolve to address regional and global challenges together.”
Deputy Director Hardy will announce four new funding commitments during his trip:
- Philippines: USTDA is funding a feasibility study for the Philippines to evaluate and deploy U.S.-designed SMRs, advancing its energy security through cutting-edge U.S. technology.
- Philippines: A reverse trade mission will bring Philippine energy decision-makers to the United States to observe American solutions that can further advance their SMR ambitions.
- Palau: USTDA technical assistance will support upgrades to critical aviation infrastructure at Palau International Airport, increasing aviation capacity and safety to strengthen bilateral ties.
- Pacific Islands: USTDA is funding project scoping services to initiate the infrastructure improvement process for strategically important aviation and port projects in Fiji, Kiribati, the Republic of Marshall Islands, and Tonga.
Deputy Director Hardy will also tour local transportation infrastructure and engage with local partners and American companies to identify new opportunities for USTDA engagement. USTDA’s Philippines portfolio under the Trump Administration has included support for the Luzon Economic Corridor railway infrastructure and for incorporating artificial intelligence and other upgrades to the country’s electricity grids. Previous assistance to Palau has included identifying U.S. solutions for hospital construction and a nationwide modernization and buildout of Palau’s mobile network.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is the U.S. government’s first mover on critical infrastructure development in emerging markets, advancing the shared strategic priorities of the United States and our overseas partners while creating opportunities to deploy trusted U.S. solutions. USTDA funds the upfront technical work that accelerates the development of infrastructure projects, helping them attract the financing they need for implementation and procurement of U.S. goods and services.
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