Amata Emphasizes American Samoa's Competitive Interests in Congress

Statement

Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata recently emphasized several issues of key importance to American Samoa to leadership on the House Foreign Affairs Committee as part of a hearing on Indo-Pacific priorities. Aumua Amata called for strong U.S. commitment to the region, including basing U.S. Coast Guard cutters in American Samoa, while highlighting fishing interests and China's known strategic activity in the area. Further, she underscored the need to preserve the American Samoa Economic Development Credit (30A) to remain competitive.

As part of the hearing, Congresswoman Amata sent a letter, along with an insert to the official hearing record, to the leadership of the Subcommittee, Chairman Ami Bera (D-CA) and Ranking Member Steve Chabot (R-OH), who also serve with Congresswoman Amata on the Pacific Islands Caucus.

Amata stated, "As you know we are in the midst of strategic competition with China, and China is making a concerted effort to increase their presence in Oceania and the Pacific Islands. Just recently, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi completed a tour of the region, promoting cooperation and promoting a sweeping, regional security and economic proposal with the potential to significantly ramp up Beijing's role in the South Pacific. CNN recently summed it up well "Pacific Island countries have become the latest arena for a great power contest between the United States and China.'

She continued, "Our region is of strategic importance, the South Pacific is key passageway for commerce. If China was to sever the lines of communication in the region, that would have a devastating effect on the United States and our Allies.

"Though it lies outside the jurisdiction of your subcommittee, my home of American Samoa, the only US soil south of the equator, is in the region your subcommittee covers. It is essential that the United States commits to the Pacific Island region to counter the encroaching threats we face. Every single Pacific Island leader has stated that climate change is an existential threat.

"Pacific Island nations are also under threat from IUU fishing, often committed by the Chinese commercial fishing fleet. To counter this threat, the United States should establish a permanent U.S. Coast Guard cutter presence in American Samoa. The U.S. Coast Guard is one of the United States best soft power tools in the region; with many Pacific Island nations relying on our cutters for maritime law enforcement. Permanent cutters in American Samoa would signify U.S. commitment to the region and to our partners in the region," said Amata.

"To also help counter China's economic push in the region, a permanent extension of the American Samoa Economic Development Credit, also known as 30A, would ensure that American companies stay competitive against foreign companies, which don't have the same labor, regulatory, and environmental standards and with fishing operations subsidized by China.

She concluded, "I commend the Committee for holding this hearing to underscore the importance of the South Pacific to America's national interest. American Samoa is a key element to promoting that interest, and I urge this Committee to join in the effort to assure Washington provides the support needed to support our economy and infrastructure."

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