Biden call ‘very positive’: Ardern

AUCKLAND: United States Presidentelect Joe Biden wants to ‘‘reinvigorate’’ New Zealand’s relationship with the US and has praised Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s leadership during the Covid19 pandemic.

He is also keen for New Zealand to share its knowledge and experiences with the US when it comes to fighting Covid19.

Mr Biden spoke to Ms Ardern yesterday afternoon — the first conversation the pair have had since Mr Biden was elected president.

Speaking to reporters, Ms Ardern said the call was ‘‘very much looking to the future’’.

‘‘The Presidentelect said he would like to reinvigorate the relationship, noting that the breadth of areas where there is agreement, while recalling the longstanding nature of the relationship between our countries.’’

The pair also talked about climate change and trade, although the prime minister did not go into detail about any possible freetrade deal between the two countries.

Ms Ardern extended an invitation for Mr Biden to visit New Zealand as part of the Anzus 70th anniversary next year.

That invitation was ‘‘very warmly received’’, she said.

She struck a positive tone speaking about the call, saying it was ‘‘very positive’’ and ‘‘very warm’’.

In a statement, Mr Biden appeared to echo that sentiment.

‘‘The Presidentelect praised the Prime Minister’s extraordinary leadership after the 2019 Christchurch massacre, on Covid19 and as a working mother and role model,’’ a spokesman said.

According to the list of ‘‘readouts’’ of Mr Biden’s calls with other leaders, Ms Ardern was the 14th leader he spoke to — ahead of several G20 countries.

Conversations between newly elected leaders are a tried and tested tradition; Ms Ardern had one with Donald Trump when he was first elected in 2016.

National Party foreign affairs spokesman Gerry Brownlee said it was too early to say if the BidenArdern call meant the relationship between the countries would improve, but he noted New Zealand and the US had always been strong allies.

‘‘Biden will need to be in the Oval Office for at least 12 months before we know if there is going to be change,’’ Mr Brownlee said.

Foreign affairs expert Steven Jacobi said Mr Biden making contact with Ms Ardern so early was ‘‘a positive development’’.

‘‘The opportunity to make contact at an early stage is to be welcomed’’.

Mr Biden won the US election this month — but Mr Trump has yet to concede. Despite this, when the result was clear, Ms Ardern sent a message of congratulations to Mr Biden.

Ms Ardern told reporters yesterday that she and Mr Biden did not talk about Mr Trump not conceding the election.

Rather, the 20minute conversation was ‘‘dominated by talking about the next steps in our relationship’’.

She said Mr Biden talked positively about New Zealand’s handling of Covid19.

‘‘I offered . . . access to the New Zealand [Covid19] team and health officials in order to share our experience in the things we’ve learned on our Covid19 journey.’’

This was an offer, according to Ms Ardern, that Mr Biden was keen to take up. — The New Zealand Herald