Ardern plays counterpoint to Trump
NEW YORK: Rejecting isolationism and protectionism in favour of kindness and collectivism, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s key speech to the United Nations lived up to the ‘‘antiTrump’’ nickname she was once given.
Ms Ardern — who made waves this week by bringing infant daughter Neve into the UN chambers — did not name the United States or President Donald Trump during her nation’s address yesterday, but nonetheless played counterpoint.
‘‘In the face of isolationism, protectionism, racism — the simple concept of looking outwardly and beyond ourselves, of kindness and collectivism, might just be as good a starting point as any,’’ Ms Ardern said.
‘‘We must demonstrate that collective international action not only works, but that it is in all of our best interests.’’
In a speech focusing heavily on climate change in the Pacific, generational change and equality, Ms Ardern also made a plea for international cooperation on social issues.
‘‘I for one will never celebrate the gains we have made for women domestically, while internationally other women and girls experience a lack of the most basic opportunities and dignity,’’ she said.
‘‘Me Too must become We Too.’’ The line received applause. The statement was in stark contrast to Mr Trump’s, which — along with drawing laughter from other world leaders — stated: ‘‘We reject the ideology of globalism and accept the doctrine of patriotism.’’
However, afterwards Ms Ardern told New Zealand reporters the speech had been written before the general assembly and was not intended to hit at Washington.
‘‘We have held those values long before I was around. It’s not new,’’ she said.
Ms Ardern, the 38yearold leader of New Zealand’s centreleft Labour Party, in June became only the second female world leader to have a baby while in office.
But while Vogue magazine this year described her as ‘‘the antiTrump’’, she has avoided directly criticising the US President during her year in office, in line with her generally positive political style.
Ms Ardern met the President briefly while in New York and says he congratulated her on her daughter, while she raised the issue of aluminium and steel tariffs being applied on her country.
Leaders of New Zealand, a heavily exportdependent nation, have for decades advocated for multilateralism and open trade. — AAP