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Tonga

US Revised Tariffs (%)

10

Ease of doing business

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Revised Tariff %
Original Tariff %
Country Tariff Rate %
Share of US Imports % (1 implies <1%)
10
10
6.4
1
Exports (in USD Bill.) 2024
Imports (in USD Bill.) 2024
Balance (in USD Bill.) 2024
0.02
0
0.02

Implications


The trade relationship between the US and Tonga has been recently impacted by the new global US tariff policy but is concurrently being strengthened through development and strategic security initiatives.

Here is an update on US Tariffs, Deals and Agreements, and Company/Economic Impact concerning Tonga as of October 2025:

Area

Status (October 2025)

Key Details & Impact

Current US Tariffs on Tonga

10% Reciprocal Tariff (Implemented)

Tonga, which does not have a formal Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US, is subject to the 10% baseline reciprocal tariff imposed on all non-FTA countries in April 2025.

Deals and Agreements

Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC) Threshold Program (Confirmed)

Tonga has been selected to join the MCC Threshold Program, a US government aid initiative focused on strengthening good governance, economic freedom, and institutions. This is seen as a major confidence-builder and a pathway to more substantial US economic aid.


South Pacific Tuna Treaty (In Force)

Tonga remains a party to this treaty, which provides access for US fishing vessels to the region's waters in exchange for economic assistance from the US government.


US Embassy and Security Cooperation (Strengthened)

The US opened an embassy in Nukuʻalofa in 2023. Cooperation continues on maritime security (e.g., shiprider agreements with the US Coast Guard) and development, including military training.

Companies/Economic Impact

Higher Export Costs (Implemented)

The 10% tariff increases the cost for Tongan exports to the US (e.g., seafood, agricultural goods, handicrafts). However, Tonga's overall trade volume with the US is relatively small.


Remittance Concerns (Ongoing)

Due to the large Tongan diaspora in the US (especially Utah, California, and Hawaii), the economic stability of Tonga heavily relies on remittances. Recent US consideration of new travel restrictions for some countries has raised concerns about the flow of these vital funds.


Targeted US Investment (Announced)

The US is pursuing a feasibility study for solar energy infrastructure expansion in Tonga via the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).


Conclusion:

While Tongan goods face a new 10% US tariff, the core of the US-Tonga relationship remains focused on strategic security, governance improvement (via MCC), and development aid, particularly to counter regional influence and support climate resilience. The largest potential impact on Tonga's economy stems from its reliance on remittances, making any change to travel or visa policies a significant economic risk

US Revised Tariffs

Country Tariffs

Balance of Trade

Commercial Guide

Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in countries, prepared by U.S. Embassies worldwide, Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals

Trade.Gov Fact Sheet

Tariff Rate for US

World Bank staff estimates using the World Integrated Trade Solution system, based on tariff data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's Trade Analysis and Information System ( TRAINS ) database and global imports data from the United Nations Statistics Division's Comtrade database.

US Imports Guide 

United States Imports from Countries during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. United States Imports from Countries- data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on April of 2025.

Investing in USA

theboardiQ Economic Relevance Score, ranks States of USA based on 11 parameters

Sources : ForbesUSDA Economic Research | TCGen Total Innovation Rank Index | Best States for Manufacturing | World Population Review | Tax Foundation | US News | BEA Data | Wikipedia International Trade Administration

theboardiQ's Economic Relevance Score provides a comprehensive, data-driven assessment of a nation's economic vitality and global significance. This score is meticulously calculated using 11 key parameters, each reflecting a critical facet of economic performance. It analyzes the representation of Fortune 500 companies within a nation, a strong indicator of its business environment and market size. The balance of trade surplus or deficit reveals the nation's international competitiveness and export strength. It incorporates Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a fundamental measure of overall economic output, and examine the health of key sectors like agriculture and manufacturing. The score also accounts for innovation, gauging a nation's ability to drive future growth through technological advancements. Crucial labor market indicators such as employment rates are considered, alongside fiscal policies reflected in tax rates. To capture the lived experience of citizens, it assesses cost of living and disposable income, providing insight into purchasing power and economic well-being. Finally, education levels are integrated, recognizing their pivotal role in fostering a skilled workforce and driving long-term economic development. By synthesizing these 11 parameters, theboardiQ's Economic Relevance Score delivers a nuanced and holistic view of a nation's economic standing, enabling informed strategic decisions. The Top 5 States in the assessment are Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida and Washington. Texas does consistently well across most of the 11 variables especially in the areas of GDP, F500 representation in the State, Balance of Trade where it ranks 2nd nationally. North Carolina scores as the highest-ranking state nationally in manufacturing and performs consistently across the other variables. Virginia does well in disposable income where it ranks 3rd nationally. It also scores high in the variables of manufacturing and employment Florida holds the 4th ranking nationally for GDP and Tax Washington State scores the top spot for disposable income nationally, 2nd for education and 3rd for innovation. Colorado, with an overall rank of 7 scores the top spot for Education (schools and higher education). Nebraska, that ranked 10th overall, did well in Agriculture where it is ranked 3rd nationally as well as Trade Balance where it ranked 5th. Illinois, though ranked 20th overall did well nationally in F500 representation, GDP, Agriculture, and Disposable Income. Pennsylvania comes in at 21 overall doing well nationally in GDP (6th); Manufacturing (8th) and F500 representation (8th) New York scores 23rd overall with a 2 ranking in Disposable Income nationally, as well as 3rd in both F500 representation and GDP. California comes in at 29th overall and has the top spot ranking in a whopping 4 variables nationally – GDP, Innovation, Agriculture and F500 representation. However, performance in the areas of Trade Balance, Cost of Living, Tax, Manufacturing and Employment resulted in the overall ranking dipping. Wyoming at 30th overall scores the top spot nationally in the area of Tax Massachusetts at 31 overall does well in innovation where it is ranked 2nd nationally Arkansas at 36 and Alabama at 39, do well in overall Cost of Living where they are ranked 2nd and 3rd nationally, respectively. Louisiana ranked 44th overall is ranked 1st in Trade Balance nationally.

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