MANILA, Philippines — Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the island kingdom of Tonga on Wednesday, making him the latest U.S. diplomat to make a swing through the Pacific as Washington pushes to increase its influence there.
"President Biden is fully committed to working with Tonga, and with all Pacific Islands, to usher in an era of even closer collaboration to deliver on the issues that matter most to our people — rooted in mutual respect and mutual trust," Blinken said during a news conference after meeting with Tongan officials, including Tongan Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku, also known as Siaosi Sovaleni.
