New Zealand may have finally jumped off its foreign policy tightrope act between China and the US. That’s the growing consensus amongst observers of New Zealand’s foreign policy, following Ardern’s visit to the White House and her government’s strong stance against China’s increased diplomatic presence in the Pacific region. Former prime minister Helen Clark has also hit out using similar language, in a subtle yet sharp critique of how the country’s foreign policy is shifting under Ardern. If anything, New Zealand should be partnering with Pacific countries in how they orientate to offers of help, instead of just “chest-thumping on China”. They have a very challenging relationship with China and they have used us, and our relationship with China, to point score.

Source: Stuff June 10, 2022 06:11 UTC