On October 1, 1994, after five decades of US administration, the country of Palau became the last component of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands to gain its independence.

In 1978, Palau decided not to join the Federated States of Micronesia, due to culture and language differences, and instead sought independence.

[4] In June 2009, Palauan President Johnson Toribiong accepted to "temporarily resettle" "up to seventeen" non-combatant Uyghur detainees from Guantanamo, at the United States' request.

[7] In September 2020, President Tommy Remengesau Jr. invited the United States, through US Defense Secretary Mark Esper, to build joint-use military facilities and use them.

[8] Remengesau also suggested a US Coast Guard presence in Palau to help patrol its vast marine reserve.