New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern visited the United States and promoted New Zealand on a wide range of topics, including the easing of entry restrictions to allow tourists back in, exports of New Zealand products, and efforts to combat climate change.
And at the end of his visit to the United States, he met with US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Although it was not clearly scheduled in advance, the meeting took place on May 31st local time.
It was the first time in eight years that a New Zealand Prime Minister had met face-to-face with a US president. The meeting was scheduled for an hour, but lasted 90 minutes.
Main topics of the meeting
The main agenda of the meeting was the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) . The two countries, concerned by China's security pact with the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific, confirmed that they would deepen their ties with the Pacific islands.
For the sake of peace and stability in the Pacific, we need to address issues such as climate change and the recovery of economic activity affected by COVID-19. We welcome the expansion of US involvement. We look forward to continuing to work together for the sake of Pacific nations.
said Prime Minister Ardern.
President Biden praised Prime Minister Ardern,
They play a vital role in this global society.
He said.
→ Pacific stability a key point at Ardern's meeting with Biden
Gun control is also a hot topic
Another mass shooting occurred in the United States while Prime Minister Ardern was in the country, with many children killed in a shooting in Texas.
The 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings came up during the meeting, with President Biden once again praising the New Zealand government for its quick response after the incident.
After the mosque shootings, the New Zealand government passed gun control legislation almost unanimously (119 out of 120 MPs), banning the possession of military-style semi-automatic rifles.
In New Zealand, we need guns to protect our wildlife and livestock from pests, but we don't need semi-automatic guns. After this incident, the people wanted gun control, and the government was quick to act.
Ardern has made these comments in the past.
Despite the frequent occurrence of mass murders by guns, the United States has not made much progress in gun control as a country. President Biden told reporters during a meeting with Prime Minister Ardern, who has achieved gun control in her country, that although the circumstances are different in each country, he is determined to achieve gun control in the United States as well.
A gift from Prime Minister Ardern
We will also introduce some of the souvenirs that Prime Minister Ardern sent to President Biden. Please use this as a reference for New Zealand souvenirs!
First, a bowl made from Kauri , a coniferous tree native to New Zealand. No photos have been released, but it looks something like this:
In addition to Kauri, there are also products made from evergreen conifers called Rimu. Souvenirs made from New Zealand wood range from tableware such as bowls to practical items such as trivets, cutting boards, coasters, and trinket boxes, as well as puzzles and ornaments that children will love. Be sure to look for them when you're buying souvenirs.
And because the Bidens are dog lovers, they were also given a dog coat from Swanndri , a New Zealand outdoor brand that is popular among farmers.
This is from Swandri's Instagram. It's a classic Swandri pattern, but was something like this given to you?
bonus
The world-famous Korean idol group BTS also visited the White House on the same day. After Prime Minister Ardern, they met with President Biden and discussed discrimination and crime against Asian people in the United States.
BTS is also popular in New Zealand and is often played on local radio. Did they get to meet Prime Minister Ardern?
