Hesitation by the United States is threatening American Samoa's involvement in a new undersea fibre optic cable with Samoa.
Samoa's prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, had invited American Samoa to join on to the Tui Samoa cable, which will be launched later this year.
But American Samoa's Governor, Lolo Matalasi Moliga, has said the federal government has raised concerns about the teritory using telecommunications systems that are foreign owned.
Lolo says American Samoa needs a lot of information from Samoa in order to make a wise and informed decision, including the costs and benefits.