On July 4, 2007, US Ambassador Larry Dinger noted the "close bilateral military relationship" between the two countries.

[1] Hence the United States has put little or no pressure on Tonga, its military ally, to become a democracy.

Trade between the U.S. and Tonga is relatively low, but it has seen a steady increase in recent years.

Peace Corps Volunteers are based in Tonga and teach and provide technical assistance to the local population.

In 2023, the United States announced plans to open up an embassy in Tonga, as part of a larger regional push to strengthen ties in the Pacific.