Joshua Thomson
Joshua is CANZUK International's Senior Associate
for Eastern Canada based in Saint John, NB
New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters, has spoken with US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, about a range of defence issues this week, potentially signalling New Zealand’s upcoming move to join the AUKUS defence alliance with the U.S., Australia and the United Kingdom.
In a post on social media platform X, Peters said they had discussed the importance of a US-New Zealand strategic partnership, strengthening cooperation to address regional and global challenges, the situation in Ukraine, and the Israel-Gaza conflict.
In a statement, United States Department of State spokesperson, Matthew Miller, said Blinken congratulated the Deputy Prime Minister on assuming his new role, and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to facilitating an Indo-Pacific that is “free and open, inclusive, and resilient.”
In a statement, United States Department of State spokesperson, Matthew Miller, said Blinken congratulated the Deputy Prime Minister on assuming his new role, and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to facilitating an Indo-Pacific that is “free and open, inclusive, and resilient.”
In December, New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, signaled the government was exploring Pillar Two of AUKUS – a security partnership for the Indo-Pacific region between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The deal also recently progressed as the US Congress authorised the sale of nuclear submarines to Australia for the first time.
While New Zealand’s non-nuclear status is non-negotiable, Pillar Two is about sharing technology, and Luxon told reporters at a conference with Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, that he was exploring it.
CANZUK International welcomes the New Zealand Government’s ambitions to join the AUKUS defence alliance and will continue to advocate for Canada joining the alliance in the near future.
The deal also recently progressed as the US Congress authorised the sale of nuclear submarines to Australia for the first time.
While New Zealand’s non-nuclear status is non-negotiable, Pillar Two is about sharing technology, and Luxon told reporters at a conference with Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, that he was exploring it.
CANZUK International welcomes the New Zealand Government’s ambitions to join the AUKUS defence alliance and will continue to advocate for Canada joining the alliance in the near future.
Heading photo: JIM WATSON / GETTY IMAGES
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