By Mary Lyn Fonua

The United States does not ask any nation to choose between the United States and China, the United States Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy R. Sherman, said in Tonga this afternoon, while expressing disappointment that China had decided to cancel and suspend various relations with the US yesterday, including climate change talks.

“For Tonga climate change is existential, and we understand that, and it's just terribly disappointing that the world's largest emitter right now, and a country who must be engaged, for us to reach 1.5 degrees Celsius, has now withdrawn from that discussion, that should be a big concern to all of us.”

The Deputy Secretary of State was responding to a question from Matangi Tonga at a media briefing at the conclusion of a two-day visit to Tonga today, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations.  She is on a regional tour of five countries, including Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Australia and New Zealand.

Sherman was welcomed in Nuku'alofa by King Tupou VI on Friday, and discussed plans to set up a new United States Embassy in Tonga.

“And we talked about a more robust diplomatic presence and how that will support the partnership and friendship between our two countries,” she said.

During the visit she spoke of a “new phase in the relationship with Tonga and the Pacific” and a strengthening of partnerships.

Projecting strength in the Pacific

When asked by Matangi Tonga why it was necessary for the United States to project strength and be robust in the Pacific at this time, Sherman spoke about the relationship between the United States and China.

She commended a speech Secretary Blinken gave a few weeks ago, where he laid out the United States administration's framework for the approach to the People's Republic of China.

She explained how the United States was investing in its own economy.

“We will align with our partners and allies around the world,” she said. “And when President Biden came in he said that one of his major priorities was to reinvigorate and reinvest in our alliances and our partnerships and alliances.

“We have had 50 years of a partnership with Tonga. So part of what you are seeing is the president investing in that partnership, which has been long held but has not always been as robust as that history would imagine it to be, that's very important.

“We are going to pull together that investment in our economy, in our alignment with others, to ensure that we can compete in a positive way and help others to do so, to ensure prosperity and stability in the world.”

Economic and security cooperation

But Sherman said the strengthening of US relationships in the Pacific was not just because of great powers.

“We don't ask any nation to choose between the United States and China.

“That's not what we are about. What we are about is that there be a rules-based international order, in fact, it was a rules-based international order which helped China to rise, we want that to be in place so that all countries can rise.

“And we want to make sure that on things that are in the world's interest that we are all working together.

“We were really disappointed yesterday that the People's Republic of China decided to cancel / suspend various relations with the United States and things that we were working on together. And one of the ones that is most critical here is on climate change, that the People's Republic of China said that as a result of a Member of Congress visiting Taiwan, which has happened countless times, that not only would they shoot rockets over Taiwan and also challenge Japan, but they would suspend or cancel various working relationships.

“For Tonga climate change is existential, and we understand that, and it's just terribly disappointing that the world's largest emitter right now, and a country who must be engaged for us to reach 1.5 degrees Celsius, has now withdrawn from that discussion, that should be a big concern to all of us,” she said.

US Embassy in Tonga

Sherman said that yesterday the United States Senate had confirmed Marie Damour to be the next ambassador to five countries, including Tonga, Fiji, Kirbati Tuvalu and Nauru.

“That's very exciting because that's part of establishing an embassy. But it will take us time,” she said.

“So our decision to open an embassy has everything to do with us being a Pacific nation. And President Biden, Vice President Harris and Secretary Blinken recognising, in this new administration, that fact.

“And the fact that the future of this world, as I said to the young students, will be decided here in the Pacific, in so many ways.

“But not just because of great powers but because of where the economies are growing, where populations are growing. Our Indo Pacific strategy is about a free open and interconnected Indo Pacific, so it is with that reason that we are not only opening an embassy here, but also in Solomon Islands and Kiribati. So look, these will be an American presence and services.”

“So its very practical and very specific, and very strategic and geostrategic, and all about the future.”

She could not confirm whether or not consular services would be part of the Tonga embassy, while they were looking at the best way to provide for this.

Dinner at the White House

Sherman said she told the King that President Biden would invite the leaders of the Pacific Island nations to a meeting and a dinner at the White House in late September,

“This meeting will be a historic opportunity with United States and Pacific Islands countries to hear and listen to each, the Pacific way.

She said that USAID is planning to establish a regional mission in Fiji that will also serve Tonga and deepen US development cooperation. Peace Corps volunteers will soon be returning to Tonga.

Sharing technology

With Tonga's Prime Minister Hon. Hu'akavameiliku and Foreign Minister Hon. Fekita 'Utoikamanu, the delegation discussed strong cooperation between the United States and Tonga on a wide range of issues.

“Including Tonga's recovery from the terrible volcanic eruption and tsunami. January's tragic volcanic eruption shook the world, the tsunami that followed and spanned the Pacific served a powerful reminder of how connected we really are.

“The United States is committed to continuing to help the people of Tonga recover from this tragedy which is why we have contributed 2.6 million dollars in assistance to those affected.

The US is also invested in long term emergency preparedness, which includes ensuring that Tonga can deliver key supplies to its people by sea and by air when a disaster strikes.

“It also means sharing technology, like the satellite communications kit the Tongan government used in January to alert the outer islands of tsunami threat.

“This work is critical for the health and safety of all our citizens and I am so glad we are redoubling our cooperation in this field.

“I also spoke about economic and security cooperation in my meetings with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister,” she said.

“We recognise the South Pacific Tuna Treaty has been a cornerstone of our relationship for more than three decades, that is why President Biden is asking United States Congress for a major increase in funding from $21 million dollars to $60 million dollars per year to support this treaty,” she said.