Trump’s man talks up NZ
New Zealand has been an ‘‘unwavering friend’’ to the United States, admired for its ’’fiercely independent’’ foreign policy, the US foreign relations committee has been told by the man seeking to become ambassador here.
Lawyer and former Republican US Senator Scott Brown appeared before his confirmation hearing yesterday.
A formal vote was yet to been taken, but it was the first time since being nominated by President Donald Trump that he had been able to speak on his views of the relationship between the two countries.
Both Democrat and Republican senators grilled Brown on how he would handle New Zealand’s growing trade relationship with China, New Zealand’s place in the Five Eyes intelligence network and its nonnuclear stance.
While New Zealand is in the midst of upgrading its free trade agreement with China, Brown drew a wide berth around questions over whether that relationship could be problematic for the US.
‘‘China is their number one trading partner. And the thing that’s really stuck out with me is the fact that even though there’s that business relationship, that trade relationship, they’re not afraid to stand up and say, ’Excuse me, China, by the way, the fact that you’re building islands and militarising them and changing the law of the air and the law of the sea and international law that has been in place forever – we don’t like that’.
‘‘They are fiercely independent, and you can’t tell them what you want – you have to ask them. One of the things that my wife and I look forward to, in particular, is getting a fair go by the people of New Zealand.’’
Brown told the committee any potential for a free trade agreement with the US was a decision for the US Trade Committee, but he would do all he could to support it, if the decision was taken.
On Five Eyes, Brown said he had not received briefings on the network – due to security reasons, he would not receive those briefings until he had been confirmed to the posting. But New Zealand’s role in the intelligence sharing partnership, which also included Britain, Canada and Australia, was ‘‘highly valued’’ in the Pacific region.
New Zealand’s ban on nuclear ships had led to a contentious period in the relationship between the two countries, but it had warmed, Brown said. He cited the navy’s invitation for the US to send the destroyer USS Sampson to New Zealand for 75th anniversary commemorations.
Brown said New Zealand had been an ‘‘unwavering friend of the United States’’.
‘‘The US-NEW Zealand relationship has also been strengthened due to New Zealand’s commitment to our shared war against terror as well as reconstruction and stability efforts in the Middle East.’’
Brown said he was also committed to increasing bilateral trade and commerce opportunities, assisting with the illegal fishing concerns, ‘‘and recognising and helping to solve environmental issues’’.
He said he was honoured to be nominated by Trump for the posting, which held cross-accreditation to Samoa.
The subcommittee will soon hold a business meeting to vote Brown out of the Foreign Relations Committee - likely to be early next week. After that, it would be up to Majority Leader of the Senate Mitch Mcconnell to decide when Brown’s nomination would go to the senate for a full vote.