July 14, 2022
Pacific-US tuna treaty start of stronger link
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta says a virtual visit to the Pacific Forum by United States Vice President Kamala Harris signalled a step up in US engagement in the region.
Speaking via video link yesterday morning, Ms Harris said in recent years the Pacific Islands may not have received the diplomatic attention and support from the US that they deserve.
Her message came amid tension over efforts by China to extend its influence.
Ms Mahuta says the main purpose of Ms Harris’s intervention was an update on a treaty on tuna fisheries.
“(The US) made quite a strong pledge – $60 million per year for the next 10 years which links towards some obligations in relation to the US tuna treaty some but also there were some broader ambitions which were present in the region. I think that was received overall positively. It signalled that there is the interest of another superpower in the region but it also signalled a commitment to have embassies in both Kiribati and Tonga,” she says.
Ms Mahuta says she’d like to see more direct relationships between Māori and the Pacific.