Elena Pasilio* Tokelau
Aukusitino Vitale speaking at General Fono on fakaofo in March 2025. Photo: Supplied/ Elena Pasilio
The initial reaction from Tokelauans to President Donald Trump's tariffs of surprise and laughter has turned to sadness.
"I'm very surprised," Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau general manager (national) Aukusitino Vitale told RNZ Pacific.
Vitale, almost lost for words, said there is really not a lot to say but, "we don't export to the USA".
He is dumbfounded as to why small Pacific Islands nations, like Fiji that has a 32 percent tariff to its name and does export to the US, have been slammed.
"We are small Pacific Island countries, and I'm finding it really difficult to understand what threat the Pacific is to US economy," Vitale said.
"We are kind of saddened because the most important thing is to assist Tokelau, being a very small nation".
The irony of Trump taxing Tokelau is that it is not even an independent country.
It is a dependent territory of New Zealand in the southern Pacific Ocean, whose 1500 or so residents are New Zealand citizens.
However, they have not been spared by Trump's tariffs list alongside New Zealand.
Tokelau is in the process of taking strides towards wider public consultation about self-determination.
It is unlikely to be about full independence, but possibly a form of greater autonomy, which New Zealand's realm nations, Niue and Cook Islands already have.
A big part of that process is bolstering infrastructure and strengthening governance models, all of which rely on funding from New Zealand and the money Tokelau gets from the South Pacific Tuna Treaty.
School children in Nukunonu, Tokelau watching Tuna Inati process (equal distribution of food). Photo: Supplied/ Elena Pasilio
Tariffs and tuna
It is not just a 10 percent tariff causing concern in Tokelau, but it is waiting on its share of millions in funds as part of the South Pacific Tuna Treaty which Tokelau is party to.
"We rely heavily on our tuna fishing [funds from the US]," Vitale said about the deal between the United States and 16 Pacific Island countries.
The treaty allows the US to go fishing for tuna in Tokelau's 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
"If they understood what Tokelau is, the size in terms of its infrastructure, and it is just this unique place in the world.
"I would have thought that they would have been more keen, I mean, US$4.2 million [in tuna licensing to Tokelau] to them...is that a lot of money?"
That's millions in outstanding money for not only Tokelau but other Pacific nations as part of the Tuna treaty deal.
While Tokelau waits on the US, New Zealand has given an advance or place holder payment to Tokelau.
"Of course, it's in advance, and also it's a payback arrangement. Our understanding from New Zealand is that this review [on US aid] is continuing until the end of April."
"So ko te tulaga la kua pa kiei koi fai lava a latou iloiloga, pe fakamatuku mai te vaega tena pe ko afea foki te fakamatuku mai ai, ma e he maua ai la te vaega tena mo Tokelau ite taimi teia e manakomia ai e ia (So at the moment, America is still having ongoing talks to determine if and when the delayed payments will be released, which makes it unlikely that Tokelau will receive the funds in time)," Vitale told Tokelauns in a video address.
"Kae i te fakaaliga a NZ kua fehoahoani mai foki kilatou e tuha ai ki he totogi ki mua ni o te vaega heleni tena, kafai la e pa mai te heleni oi kua toe fakatumu atu ai la te pu tena na kaumai ai te heleni tena mo te fakatinoga o te tatou galuega mo na fakatupega i te agai ki mua (New Zealand has notified Tokelau that it will front/advance the payment owed by America to Tokelau, and will reclaim the amount once America's payment is received and this is to help Tokelau get their funds in order for upcoming work plans)"
He told RNZ Pacific that it seems the US is not putting effort into the right places.
"I think Tokelau has been included because it's a country on the map," Vitale said.
"But I doubt they did their research as to what importation was coming from Tokelau."
Nukunonu group perfoms Fatele at the Fakanofoga. Photo: Supplied/ Elena Pasilio
Tokelau self-determination
While Tokelau waits on money from the US, it looks to progress self-determination community consultations.
Tokelau is controlled more by Aotearoa than Cook Islands and Niue which hold a 'self-governing' status.
Tokelauans hold NZ passports, use the NZ dollar and have their own unique political system where the Ulu, or head of government, is rotated annually to make sure each atoll has a turn at the helm during the three Faipule's three year terms.
The role is equivalent to the Prime Minister, Vitale said.
Community members have voted against becoming self-governing in free association twice: in 2006 and another the year after.
A special committee is being set up in Tokelau to make sure everyone is well informed ahead of a potential third referendum.
"A special committee, to collect all the information, details on the type of choice that Tokelau would like need, because this information is key to explain to the people whether the advantages and disadvantages of this choice," former Ulu-o-Tokelau or Head of Government, Alapati Tavite told RNZ Pacific in 2024.
Former Ulu-o-Tokelau, Alapati Tavite and his wife Dr Silivia Tavite. Photo: Supplied/ Elena Pasilio
Communities will have the opportunity to understand the potential options through community consultation run by a committee which has not yet been finalised.
Tavite said that once the consultation period which will educate the communities on the UN models is complete, "the people will decide" if they are ready for another referendum.
*Elena Pasilio is Nukunonu's environment officer in Tokelau.
