Palau gained its independence October 1, 1994 with the entry into force of the Compact of Free Association with the United States.
Along with the other former Trust Territories, Palau is one of a handful of countries that regularly votes with Israel in the United Nations General Assembly.
Ministerial level visits are frequent between the two countries, and Palau is a popular tourist destination for Japanese travellers.
[39] The Marshall Islands and Palau share very good relations, as they are both bound by Compacts of Free Association with the United States.
Palau was a part, and was represented, in the congress of the First Philippine Republic.,[41] but due to the German-Spanish Treaty was eventually handed over to Germany, ending Philippine-Palau relations during that period.
The Palau government has agreed to host a large United States Air Force high-frequency radar station in Palau, a Tactical Multi-Mission Over the Horizon Radar (TACMOR) system costing well over $100 million, which is expected to be operational in 2026.
The first-launch in Palau of a Patriot surface-to-air missile by the U.S. took place in 2022 Valiant Shield, which also had the experimental deployment of A-10 Warthogs at Roman Tmetuchl International Airport.