Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukālala has been renominated as Tonga’s Foreign Minister, a decision announced just one day after the United States imposed a travel ban on Tongan nationals last week.
Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukālala
In a June advisory to 36 countries including Tonga, the State Department said its concerns included the inability of some governments to produce reliable identity documents due to a lack of competence or cooperation.
It also cited “questionable security” of certain passports and failures to repatriate nationals or accept deportees from the United States, regardless of nationality.
Then Prime Minister Dr ‘Aisake Eke confirmed in July that the government had received warnings and demands from the Trump Administration. He described it as “alarming.”
He said the matter had been referred to the Crown Prince and his Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and that they were working closely with the US Embassy in Nuku’alofa on the issue.
Last week’s US announcement indicated that Tonga did not meet the required standards, and the government’s earlier efforts did not achieve the intended outcome.
The development has prompted questions among observers about what actions the Crown Prince and his ministry took that failed to satisfy the Trump administration, leading the United States to proceed with the travel ban.
Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua confirmed the Prince’s renomination to the media last week, although his full Cabinet lineup was not announced until before Christmas.
Under Tonga’s constitution, the Prime Minister nominates Cabinet Ministers, who are then formally appointed by the King.
The US Partial Restrictions
The restricted visas include B-1 and B-2, which are U.S. non-immigrant visas for temporary visits such as business or tourism. F, M, and J visas are non-immigrant categories for students and exchange visitors.
More than 48,000 people identified as Tongan alone in the United States, according to the 2020 U.S. Census.
When including those who reported Tongan heritage in combination with other races or ancestries, the total exceeds 78,000.
Tonga’s ties to the United States are closely linked to the Mormon Church, the kingdom’s second-largest denomination, which is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Church’s Brigham Young University–Hawai‘i enrols about 100 Tongan students each year. In 2011, 78 Tongans were reported to be attending the university.
The administration announced that the visa restrictions will take effect on January 1, 2026, despite speculation that a form of the ban was already being implemented.
As Kaniva News reported, Tongan professor Tevita Ka‘ili of Brigham Young University claimed some parents in Tonga were unable to attend the December 12 graduation ceremony because of the travel ban.
Lineup Expected Soon
King Tupou VI of Tonga officially appointed Lord Fakafanua last week as the country’s new head of government.
The appointment of the kingdom’s 20th Prime Minister was confirmed through the presentation of the Royal Warrant at the Royal Palace in Nuku’alofa on the afternoon of December 18, 2025.
Lord Fakafanua secured the premiership with 16 votes, while former Prime Minister Dr ’Aisake Eke received 10.
The Constitution mandates a secret premiership ballot, leaving the public guessing about both the outcome and the allegiances of individual MPs.
The secrecy of the ballot and the absence of public campaigning to identify premiership candidates and what policies they have for the people have long been points of contention.
Lord Fakafanua’s election as premier drew celebration among his supporters, while reports circulated on social media accusing certain People’s Representatives of backing him.
Among those present at the appointment ceremony were People’s MPs, including suspended former Minister of Police MP Piveni Piukala, former Deputy Prime Minister Taniela Fusimalohi (‘Eua 11), former Deputy Prime Minister Semisi Sika (Tt2), MP Mo’ale ‘Otunuku (Vv 14), MP Lata Tangimana (Nu 17)and newly elected MP Fane Fotu Fituafe (Tt 6), the only woman in the current Parliament.
While attendance does not confirm voting patterns and the Prime Minister is expected to announce his Cabinet soon, speculation has intensified that these People’s Representatives were among Lord Fakafanua’s backers in the secret ballot—particularly Fusimālohi and Piukala, who served as ministers in former Prime Minister Eke’s Cabinet.
Unconfirmed reports on social media suggest that the noble bloc was also divided, with three members—allegedly Lord Tu‘ivakano, Lord Ve‘ehala, and Lord Tu‘ilakepa—appearing to have voted for Dr Eke.
Lord Fakafanua has pledged to unite the 26 MPs, saying he intends to reflect this in his Cabinet lineup by nominating the best candidates regardless of whether those MPs supported him in the premiership election.
