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1 1 (January 2, 2025)

handle is hein.crs/goverwg0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Tonga: Background and Issues for Congress January 2, 2025 Over ew The Kingdom of Tonga is one of the United States' oldest diplomatic partners in the Pacific Islands region. U.S. policymakers, including some Members of Congress, have identified U.S. national security interests in the Pacific, and have sought to bolster diplomacy; increase U.S. assistance in areas such as climate change, sustainable fisheries, and economic development; and counter growing economic, political, and security engagement by the People's Republic of China (PRC, or China). With approximately 100,000 inhabitants, Tonga is the last remaining monarchy in Polynesia and the only Pacific Island Country (PIC) never to have been colonized by European powers. Tonga signed a protectorate agreement with the British Empire in 1900, and became independent in 1970. In the defense sector, Tonga is one of three PICs, along with Fiji and Papua New Guinea, to have a standing military. Po t cs, Soc ety, and Economy Tonga is a constitutional monarchy with a unicameral Legislative Assembly. Before 2010, most of the 26 members of parliament were appointed by the monarch or held designated noble seats. The Legislative Assembly adopted reforms to broaden the number of popularly elected parliamentarians from 9 to 17, with 9 seats reserved for nobles selected by their peers. The prime minister, who is selected by the Legislative Assembly, is responsible for most government functions. The monarchy retains substantial powers, including the authority to dismiss parliament, appoint and supervise the judiciary, and approve changes to the constitution. The current monarch, King Tupou VI, acceded to the throne in 2012. The next general election for parliament is expected to be held in November 2025. The World Bank considers Tonga a lower-middle income country; its primary economic sectors include agriculture, fisheries, and tourism, all of which are vulnerable to climate-related events. About 40% of Tonga's total land area is used for agriculture, and the sector employs one- third of the labor force. Tonga is one of the world's most aid-dependent countries, ranking 7th of 134 countries measured. Top donors include Australia and Japan, as well as multilateral donors such as the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and the Asia Development Bank. The Tongan economy relies heavily on small-sum remittances from the Tongan diaspora; in 2022, remittances comprised more than 45% of Tonga's total GDP. The Tongan government is facing a substantial debt service burden through 2028 on account of repayment deadlines to China, which owns two-thirds of Tonga's $195 million debt, one of the highest debt burdens in the world. Currently, Tonga's annual repayments to China are near 4% of the GDP, placing burdens on Tonga's public services and threatening to derail climate priorities. Tonga's standing military force, His Majesty's Armed Forces (HMAF), has land and naval components. The monarch commands the HMAF, but under the constitution cannot make war without the consent of the Legislative Assembly. The HMAF is small, with 590 personnel including support staff, and is primarily focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; search and rescue; countering illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU); and delivery of supplies to Tonga's outer islands. Figure I. Tonga at a Glance U..On R e at OnS The State Department describes U.S.-Tonga relations as broad and deep, based on shared values and close cooperation In 2023, the United States established an embassy in Nuku'alofa, Tonga's capital. In August 2024, the U.S. Embassy opened a Consular window pilot program to support visa services. The U.S. ambassador to Fiji is also accredited to Tonga (as well as Kiribati, Nauru, and Tuvalu). The State Department supports Tonga with law enforcement programming and plans for food security investments, in cooperation with Congress and in coordination with Australia and New Zealand. The United States provides military assistance to the HMAF and includes Tongan forces in joint military exercises, including Pacific Partnership, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission. The Nevada National Guard has a State Partnership Program with the HMAF that entails joint trainings to build partner capacity and interoperability. Tonga and the United States have a

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