U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds is urging U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to consider the CNMI in ongoing negotiations on tariffs and trade with other countries.
In a letter on Monday, King-Hinds asked Greer to explore economic development opportunities for the CNMI in ongoing trade negotiations.
Noting that over 50 countries have already reached out to begin trade negotiations with the White House, King-Hinds said this response “underscores the global significance of the President’s vision and presents new openings to advance American economic interests in regions of critical importance.”
“As you lead the charge in these negotiations, I urge you to consider the CNMI, the closest American territory to the economic hubs of Asia. Despite its strategic location, the CNMI is experiencing deep economic hardship in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Our once-vibrant tourism sector remains at only half of pre-pandemic levels, and diversification into other industries has been limited,” King-Hinds said.
A collapsed American economy in the Pacific does not serve the interests of the U.S., but a stable, self-reliant CNMI strengthens America’s posture in the region and supports the Department of Defense’s ongoing investments in training and readiness across the Marianas, she added.
King-Hinds believes that the CNMI and U.S. governments can collaborate to ensure that President Donald Trump’s “economic victories include a lasting and positive impact for U.S. territories in the Pacific.”
Specifically, King-Hinds sees great promise in leveraging current trade negotiations to include provisions or incentives that direct foreign investment toward the CNMI, whether through regional sourcing, manufacturing, or sector-specific development.
She said these incentives could “serve both economic development goals and the broader strategic imperative of reinforcing American presence in a contested region.”
This vision is consistent with the federal commitments made in the Covenant, she added.
King-Hinds asked the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to examine how current and future trade negotiations may incorporate economic development opportunities in the CNMI.
In doing so, she said, “we can uphold our commitments under the Covenant while advancing the President’s broader goal of securing American prosperity through stronger, fairer trade.”
