Politics as well as play await PM in New York

WELLINGTON: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern takes off for a packed week in New York tomorrow, and while a formal meeting with US President Donald Trump is not scheduled, she said she would raise the issue of trade if she got a chance.

Ms Ardern’s week in New York, along with about 140 other leaders in town for the UN General Assembly, includes appearances on major US television shows, a meeting with actor Anne Hathaway, and her first speech as New Zealand leader at the United Nations.

Ms Ardern will travel with partner Clarke Gayford and baby Neve.

Ms Ardern will not have a formal meeting with Mr Trump and did not know if she would get a chance to talk to him.

She will also attend a dinner on Tuesday night hosted for all leaders in New York for the General Assembly.

‘‘If an opportunity arises, I’ll always make sure I use it in a purposeful way. I would use it to raise legitimate issues like trade. That would be top of my agenda. Issues that are in New Zealand’s wider interest.’’

The US and China are in the middle of a titfortat on tariffs, and New Zealand has not secured an exemption from tariffs the US placed on steel.

Ms Ardern will speak at several major summits on peace, climate change and alongside former Australian prime minister Julia Gillard at an event on women in leadership.

Her media appearances include The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and the Today show, which are watched by about 8 million people between them.

She will also be the first guest interviewed by CNN’s Christiane Amanpour for the Amanpour news show. — NZME