As trade tensions rise between the US and China, the future of the world lies with China and the Asia Pacific, Samoa's Prime Minister says.
Samoa's PM Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi poses with a delegate from China. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi said with a population of 1.4 billion, China continued to grow economically.
He criticised the US for closing its door on Chinese exporters, describing it as a wrong move as it would decrease America's economy.
Tuilaepa also said Samoa needed trade and tourism, adding that all Samoan made Nonu juice sent overseas went to China, as did Samoan caught fish.
One of the main options for economic growth for Samoa was trade and to open doors for employment opportunities, like the work scheme with Australia and New Zealand, the prime minister said.
Without Samoans, those countries would not have workers to pick the fruit, he said.