American Samoa's US congressman, Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin, has again voiced concerns at the United States ignoring the island countries when discussing issues affecting the South Pacific.
The congressman raised this point during consultation with the US House sub-committee on Asia and the Pacific which recently held trade talks in New Zealand and Australia.
He says continued US focus on the metropolitan powers in Pacific issues leads to the needs of the small countries being ignored.
Faleomavaega says it's vital the island countries mobilise and ensure they're not left out of such discussions.
"I know one thing for sure is that we've got to bring this to a better forum so that like I said for all these years it's always New Zealand, Australia US, but the island countries are always left out in the cold and that's not right."
Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin
