United States Involvement

        The first main area of US involvement with American Samoa is in the economic aspect.  As discussed earlier, the main export of American Samoa is tuna.  Over 99% of the tuna is exported to the United States.  Also, American Samoa imports over two-thirds of its goods from the United States.  Not only is the US involved in trade with American Samoa, it also provides much economic aid to the colony.

    Second, the United States is involved with American Samoa in a military dimension.  The United States is responsible for the protection of this colony.  Since the US provides defense for the land, American military bases and communication-intelligence centers can be found on American Samoa.

    Finally, the United States affects the affairs of American Samoa politically.  The United States involvement is quite obvious in the political sphere. The colony is administered by the US Department of the Interior through the Office of Insular Affairs.  The Secretary of the Interior, who is appointed by Congress, has full authority of the colony.  The Secretary has many responsibilities such as appointing the justices for the High Court of American Samoa.  The American Samoans were not able to elect their own governor until 1977.  The American involvement can also be seen in the political structure of the colony.   American Samoa's government is almost parallel to that of its colonial ruler, the United States. Its government has three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.  The United States and American Samoa may be completely different culturally, but the two are practically identical politically.

        The United States and American Samoa both benefit greatly from the US's involvement with the colony.  First, American Samoa and the US gain from the trade that exists between these two lands.  Also, American Samoa does receive substantial economic aid from the United States.  Finally, the most important benefit belongs to the United States.  The United States is able to take advantage of American Samoa's deepest, most protected harbor.  This harbor is still used by nuclear submarines.  Although there are benefits for both the US and the colony, American Samoa still strives for its long-awaited independence.