Jacinda Ardern was described as the “anti-Trump” earlier this year as she posed for the cover of Vogue magazine. It's a billing she more than lived up to in her speech to the UN General Assembly this morning.
In direct opposition to the isolationist and protectionist policies of the US President, Ms Ardern used her address to encourage global leaders to look outward and beyond themselves, to commit to “kindness and collectivism” and to rebuild multilateralism.
The Prime Minister also stated the importance of global leaders re-committing to gender equality and a global effort to combat climate change, describing “any undermining of climate related targets and agreements” as “catastrophic”.
Mr Trump, on the other hand, used his address on Wednesday to reject globalism and trumpet the successes his patriotic ideals had brought to the USA.
His speech at one point was met with derision as fellow world leaders laughed at him. “America is governed by Americans. We reject the ideology of globalism, and we embrace the doctrine of patriotism,” he said.
“As my administration has demonstrated, America will always act in our national interest.”
Mr Trump spoke specifically about the trade tariffs he had put on Chinese goods, an economic measure he had used on numerous other countries.
In contrast, Ms Ardern spoke of New Zealand's geographical distance from much of the world but said: "Our isolation has not made us insular. In fact, our engagement with the world has helped shape who we are."
She added: "Given the challenges we face today, and how truly global they are in their nature and impact, the need for collective action and multilateralism has never been clearer."
The Prime Minister highlighted climate change as a particular issue needing global attention. Mr Trump, on the other hand, has pulled the United States out of the Paris climate agreement.
"Any disintegration of multilateralism – any undermining of climate related targets and agreements – aren’t interesting footnotes in geopolitical history. They are catastrophic," Ms Ardern said.
The Prime Minister has been busy at the UN and doing interviews in New York.
SHARE ME