Photo: JIM WATSON
The Tongan and Fijian prime ministers are among the first Pacific Island leaders to congratulate US President-elect Donald Trump.
Trump, 78, returned to the White House on Wednesday by securing more than the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency, according to Edison Research projections.
Tonga's Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, who is also the chair of the Pacific Islands Forum said on X, formerly Twitter, that he is looking forward to advancing Tonga-US bilateral relationship and the Pacific interests and initiatives.
Fiji's Sitiveni Rabuka said it is his sincere hope and prayer that Trump's return to the White House "will be marked by the delivery of peace, unity, progress, and prosperity for all Americans, and the community of nations."
Rabuka also said Fiji is looking forward to deepening bilateral ties with America as well as furthering shared aspirations including, promoting peace and economic prosperity in the Pacific and beyond.
Papua New Guinea's Prime Minsiter James Marape on Thursday congratulated Trump, saying: "We look forward to reinforcing the longstanding partnership between our nations, grounded in shared values and mutual respect."
Marape also expressed gratitude for Joe Biden's service and Kamala Harris's "spirited challenge" for the presidency.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said the American people "have spoken to through their ballots" to give Trump "his resounding election victory", stressing the "special bond of friendship" between the two nations.
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown said both the Democrats and Republics have similar policies on the Indo-Pacific and he does not expect much change.
"The US has reengaged with the Pacific in terms of diplomatic representation and increased people to people engagements," Brown was quoted as saying by Cook Islands News.
"From a bipartisan perspective I don't see any drastic changes in US policy on what they have termed as the Indo-Pacific strategy. Both Dems and Rep have similar policies on the Indo-Pacific. I don't expect much change."
