US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be arriving in Tonga tomorrow, Wednesday 26th July, to dedicate a new US Embassy in Nuku’alofa. The United States consider Tonga to be strategically important amid efforts by China to expand its influence across the Pacific.
The US has stepped up engagements with countries in the Pacific region as geo-strategic competition with China intensifies. Embassies are being set up in Nuku’alofa, Tonga; and in Tarawa, Kiribati.
Mr. Blinken said temporary U.S. duty officers were already in Tonga and a first directly assigned officer would be there “in a few short weeks,” with the intention being to have an ambassador resident there.
The Secretary of State will depart Tonga for New Zealand on Thursday, and conclude his trip in Australia later in the week. It is his first trip to Tonga.
In the meantime President Joe Biden has extended an invitation to Australian Prime Minister Antony Albanese for a state visit later this year, and will also host a second summit with leaders of the Pacific nations in September.