Jacinda Ardern labelled Donald Trump's 'political offspring' for 'nativist' immigration policies

October 24, 2017

The pair appears to have an easy rapport in the early moments of their coalition.

US media have labelled Jacinda Ardern as being "Trump-like" and "appealing to voters' nativist instincts on immigration" in a scathing article on our new prime minister-elect.

USA Today has included the Labour leader in their top list of Donald Trump's "political offspring" in a recent article touting her name alongside some controversial leaders such as the Philippine's Rodrigo Duterte and Boris Johnson. 

The Labour and NZ First leaders are set to lead the country for the next three years.

"Call them the political offspring of President Trump if you like: Wealthy, controversial, outspoken and skilled at delivering electoral upsets and victories by appealing to voters' nativist instincts on immigration, Islam, trade, jobs and law and order," the article read.

The article accused Ms Ardern of spouting rhetoric similar to the Republican leader, quoting The Wall Street Journal which tweeted last month: "Meet New Zealand's Justin Trudeau – except she's more like Trump on immigration".

The biting article report said that Ms Ardern was "feeding off a global backlash" and "anxiety" over immigration.

The 37-year-old had campaigned on cutting New Zealand's immigration rate by up to 30,000 people a year as well as banning foreign buyers from the housing market, the article said.

Donald Trump also campaigned on cutting the number of legal immigrants from entering the US.

Both Labour and the Trump administration claimed cutting immigration numbers would reduce poverty in the country.

Immigration policy isn't the only tie between the two parties, with both Trump's Republican administration and the Labour Party having opposed TPP.

Yesterday, the US president called to congratulate Ms Ardern on her win.

The pair "pledged to continue close co-operation" between the two countries.

Both leaders will likely meet at the APEC conference next month.

SHARE ME

More Stories