Helpful Uncle Sam?

Throughout the semester we have heard a lot about the different interactions between the Yapese and “outsiders.” To me though, I feel like the relationship between the United States and Yap is one that is of the most importance. They way I see it, the United States is going to be a major turning point for the history of Yap and I believe the overall outcome of United States involvement will be seen within my lifetime. I think that based on how Yap’s economy reacts to the withdrawal of United States Aid over the next ten years will ultimately decide  the entire future of Yap and it’s very existence.

The economy of Yap is very unique and almost a polar opposite to the United States Economy. For starters, Yap is entirely reliant on outside funding through the Compact of Free Association between the Federated States of Micronesia and the United States. This reliance on United States funding is due to the complete lack of private industry on Yap. While there is some, it is extremely minimal and not strong enough to support the Yapese Economy. Over the next ten years, Yap must build some type of private sector or risk going bankrupt.

There are many options for the island nation of FSM to choose from to build a private sector such as fishing, minor agriculture, and definitely tourism. The only concern with tourism is that it then puts a strain on the island culture as a whole as more and more foreigners venture onto the small island and spread their culture. Yap has proven to be resilient to that in the past as they have had to endure centuries of occupation from other countries, including Spain, Germany, Japan, and lastly the United States. It has come under a closer light recently as China has been in negotiations with Yap to build a mega-resort on the small island to vamp up the tourism industry. Many citizens worry that pressure to find a solution to the growing economical problem will cause Yapese officials to accept the agreement without fully understanding the consequences.

So, the question remains: Is the United States actually helping the Federated States of Micronesia or more importantly to us, are they helping Yap?