Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata attended a roundtable meeting with the Pacific Consular Corps for Pacific Islands nations at the East-West Center in Hawaii, where she provided an update from Congress. The event took place as she traveled to attend the funeral of Governor Arnold Palacios of the Northern Marianas Islands, whom she described as a good friend and honored for his leadership.
The roundtable included representatives such as Consul General Uchel Raley Naito of Palau, Consul General Glansay Enos of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Acting Consul General Henry Shrew and James Naich from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Deputy Consul-General John Pumpa from Australia, Honorary Consul Annie Kaneshiro from Tonga, and Honorary Consul Midori Akamine representing the United Kingdom.
“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 mentioned recent trade agreements signed by the President with both the European Union and Japan. She noted that these deals are expected to bring over $2 trillion in new direct investment and 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.”
She highlighted her role in resolving issues affecting American Samoa when a 10 percent tariff order unintentionally included her district. According to Amata, after raising concerns with White House officials and DHS customs, they quickly acknowledged and fixed the issue within 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 expressed appreciation for consular diplomatic corps professionals whose efforts support free travel, tourism, trade across island nations in cooperation with organizations such as the East West Center.
