New Zealand, US relationship on strong footing, says NZ foreign minister
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (right) and New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters in Washington on March 18.
PHOTO: REUTERS
WELLINGTON - New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said his country’s relationship with the US is on a “strong footing”, as he wrapped up a trip to Washington.
Mr Peters met Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Head of the US Office of Foreign Assistance Peter Marocco and a range of other administration and Congressional representatives.
New Zealand is a close friend of the US but not an official ally. The two countries have worked together in the Pacific to offset the growing influence of China, but there are concerns among some lawmakers in New Zealand about what the change in administration in the US and its suspension of aid funding will mean for the Pacific region.
“We have agreed with the United States that we should continue to work together for a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters said.
“We have also talked about all the areas where New Zealand and the United States have interests in common,” he added.
“These include the prosperity and stability of the Pacific Islands, promoting a balanced and mutually beneficial trade and economic relationship, and cooperating more on space and technology and in Antarctica.” REUTERS
