Unfortunately, the United States is a broken entity and not likely to be put back together again quickly or easily. Hence middle powers "must work together because if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu." One commentator, however, while acknowledging its veracity, puts New Zealand in a different place: "New Zealand is not a middle power. We should, therefore, given the collapse of the old rules, carry on quietly, negotiating widely, doing it "the NZ way". It would be a good idea to be able to contribute to the new regime, whatever it might be.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 01, 2026 16:15 UTC