Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi is urging for the next Atoa o Samoa Talks with the American Samoa Government to be scheduled sooner rather than later, following the last meeting held on October 11, 2023, at Taumeasina Island Resort in Apia.

This appeal comes after Laaulialemalietoa met with American Samoa Governor Pulaali’i N. Pula on September 16, 2025, in the Cabinet Room at the Government Building. The meeting took place shortly after Laauli’s historic swearing-in ceremony and the official opening of Samoa’s 18th Parliament — both held earlier that day at the Tuana’imato Sports Complex.

Governor Pula led a high-level delegation from the ASG to the ceremony, which included Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean and House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale. Their meeting with Laauli later in the day was especially significant, marking the first time an American Samoa Governor and Fono leaders have met a Samoa Prime Minister inside the Cabinet Room.

During the discussions, PM Laaulialemalietoa stressed the importance of holding regular Atoa o Samoa Talks to strengthen cooperation and address shared challenges and opportunities faced by the two Samoas.

“I don't want to put it off any longer as there are many issues raised that need to be addressed,” said Laauli.

Potential for Agricultural Products

The PM emphasized that several key issues raised during previous Atoa o Samoa Talks, particularly agriculture and trade, remain high on his agenda for continued collaboration.

He noted that American Samoa presents a valuable and strategic market for Samoa’s agricultural exports. As an example, he cited Samoa-grown taro, which is currently used to produce the popular Moana Taro Chips that are selling well in the Hawaii market.

“There is potential for the raw products to come from here and be packaged in American Samoa to meet FDA standards for entry into the American market,” Laauli explained.

Emphasizing the economic opportunities such collaboration could bring, he added, “The American dollar used in New York has the same value as the American dollar used in Fagatogo. There’s a lot of economic potential for us if we work together with American Samoa.”

Clarifying the Cattle Farm Issue

The Prime Minister also addressed the controversial issue involving 400 acres of land at Togitogiga, which he has been accused of offering to the ASG for cattle farming.

The matter first arose during the third Atoa o Samoa Talks, held in American Samoa in 2023.

However, controversy erupted when American Samoa’s then-Director of Agriculture, Solia Mutini, stated during a Senate hearing that the land allocation stemmed directly from those talks. He claimed that the Samoa Government had gifted 400 acres at Togitogiga for a cattle farm project intended to secure American Samoa’s future food supply.

This claim drew immediate attention in Samoa after Opposition Leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi raised the issue in Parliament. Tuilaepa said he had watched the Senate hearing on the internet, where AG Director Mutini testified that Samoa had provided the land to American Samoa.

He criticized the government for not providing an explanation on a land deal involving such a large portion of land and a lack of transparency in its operations.

At the time, then-Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa firmly denied any knowledge of a formal lease or agreement and dismissed the claims as “fake news.”

Last week, Laauli clarified the issue, saying that while discussions about joint agricultural projects — including livestock development — had taken place, they were conceptual only and aimed at exploring cooperative strategies to reduce both countries' reliance on imported meat.

“The initiative was for our local meat to be exported into American Samoa in a partnership between our Ministry of Agriculture and the American Samoa DOA,” said Laauli.

He said that was the reason why Samoa donated 5 cattle, 5 sheep, and over 500 oysters to start a pilot project in American Samoa with the goal of strengthening food security.

Land exchange needs to be Utilized

The Prime Minister also addressed the need to utilize land Samoa owns in American Samoa.

Through the Samoa Talks in 2012, Samoa secured an acre of land in Tafuna for its consulate office. However, thirteen years later, the site remains vacant while the Samoa Consulate continues to rent office space elsewhere.

The Samoa Consulate Office in American Samoa was officially established in 2005 at the Methodist Iupeli Siliva Building in Fagatogo, following approval from the U.S. State Department. On July 31, 2023, it relocated to its present location at Ground Floor, Unit 108, Mosooi Business Center in Ottoville, Tafuna.

Laauli believes this land should be fully developed — not only to house the consulate but also to provide affordable accommodations for Samoans working in American Samoa.

“We have people working at StarKist who live with relatives and have faced many problems due to that arrangement,” he said. “The solution is to provide affordable accommodation at the available government land.”

Last year, Samoa granted prime land at Taumeasina, Moata'a, near the popular Taumeasina Island Resort, for the ASG to build its own offices in Apia, further demonstrating the spirit of cooperation between the two countries.

Despite their different political systems, Laauli emphasized that Samoa and American Samoa share deep familial, cultural, and historical ties.

“We are one people, part of one family with the same genealogy and history,” he said. “These bonds cannot be ignored, and they should guide our work together moving forward.”

The PM left for New Zealand on September 21 on a private jet for scheduled medical treatment, accompanied by his wife. The trip was funded by his family due to budgetary constraints within the government.

However, his stay in New Zealand was extended due to health reasons. Although he initially planned to be away for just a week, he remained hospitalized and was unable to attend Samoa’s first parliamentary session following his election. It is not known when he will be returning to Samoa.