Power Play - The prime minister's trip abroad was billed as a "trade mission," but was most productive leader-to-leader behind closed doors. In Singapore, Ardern had a warm exchange with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the grand Istana palace and emerged with a new climate change commitment. Ardern said Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was "genuinely interested" in New Zealand's positions, even noting how the government had changed the law to impose sanctions on Russia. Ardern told media she did not believe the restrictions had curtailed her agenda, but they speak to the persistent challenge of Covid-19. This trip is just the first on a packed travel schedule for Ardern this year as New Zealand lifts its own Covid restrictions at home.

Source: The Guardian April 23, 2022 04:56 UTC