Amata Welcomed at Pacific Consular Roundtable, Provides Washington Update

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata was made welcome by a roundtable meeting of the Pacific Consular Corps for Pacific Islands nations at the East-West Center in Hawaii, and she provided an update from Congress. 

Amata was able to attend the roundtable en route to the funeral of her good friend, Governor Arnold Palacios, a statesman for the people of the Northern Marianas Islands, and opened her remarks by honoring his life and leadership.

Taking part were Consul General Uchel Raley Naito, Palau; Consul General Glansay Enos, RMI; Acting Consul General Henry Shrew, FSM, and James Naich, FSM; Deputy Consul-General John Pumpa, Australia; Honorary Consul Annie Kaneshiro, Tonga; and Honorary Consul Midori Akamine, UK.

“I will work closely with the new Gov. David Apatang and his administration, Rep. Kimberlyn King-Hinds and all of you here today to foster a secure and economically prosperous Pacific,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Our region has some challenges, but I’m an optimist at heart, so I look forward to hearing from you and probably listening more than talking. While there are limits to my influence, I think there is a welcoming ear from Congress and this administration to the territories, Freely Associated States, and the broader Pacific region.”

Amata referenced the President's signing of the EU trade deal the day before, and the deal with Japan the prior week, noting the expectation these will lead to over $2 trillion in new direct investment and other incentives.

“I think the President wants to make fair deals with everyone but sometimes with small remote economies like ours in the islands there need to be adjustments, where we have unique economic and geographic conditions, so I hope to listen and learn from you today,” she said. “I will make myself and my staff available in the future if we can help as you work with the United States.”

Amata illustrated the importance of these efforts, noting how the original blanket 10 percent order on tariffs accidentally covered American Samoa, but the administration at the White House and DHS customs heard from her, worked closely and quickly in first acknowledging the issue, then fixing it within a few weeks.

“The President listened to my request to reopen fishing in the PRIMNM and understood the commonsense approach in restoring limited fishing between 50 to 200 miles for a migratory species like tuna,” she continued. “He wants to reduce the barriers to economic efficiency and make the whole ‘pie’ grow globally so that both big and small jurisdictions, including remote ones like ours, can benefit.”

“Finally, the President is investing in Pacific security. A key aspect of the One Big Beautiful Bill is directing $30 billion, perhaps more, for the Info-Pacific DOD support projects and additional U.S. Coast Guard resources,” she concluded. 

Amata appreciates the work of these dedicated consular diplomatic corps professionals as their work promotes free travel, tourism, and trade throughout a vast region of numerous island nations, along with the cooperation and knowledge-sharing promoted by the important ongoing work of the East West Center.

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