Latest news with #Indo-PacificFour
NZ Herald
17 hours ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Luxon shines on global stage but has work to do at home - Fran O'Sullivan
Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who Luxon would meet with later in the week as the sole political leader from the Indo-Pacific Four present at the big security meeting at the Hague, also had a strong career at Unilever before becoming Dutch Prime Minister. Rutte held that role for almost 14 years before taking up the security alliance leadership in October 2024. Further insights into the Unilever style were shared: I was pointed to a Dutch magazine which acknowledged Unilever disproportionally produces leaders as it invested in leadership development long before it became fashionable, and recruitment always factored in more than IQ alone – soft skills and aspects like motivation, personality and worldview. Unilever also used to hire a surplus of management trainees which hence had to compete; people were often thrown into the deep end by being sent overseas, and because of the surplus, good managers ended up elsewhere as well. In Leiden there was business to do. Luxon worked a room stacked with representatives of Kiwi firms based in the Netherlands and potential Dutch investors in NZ. There was keen interest from the private equity players and investors I spoke with in the Government's drive to increase foreign investment in NZ and to leverage the ground-breaking EU-NZ Free Trade Agreement. This is important as the Government seeks to obtain broader-based investment in NZ. This will be emphasised later this year at the European Business Summit, which is expected to attract participation by potential investors from Europe. The Prime Minister is now in his sweet spot on these international sojourns. He is a practised hand when it comes to putting his hustle on. That was evident at his earlier business meetings in Shanghai and Beijing where he promoted NZ dairy and beef products, tourism and more. His meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang were highly successful. It was obvious at the Great Hall of the People that he had struck a warm accord with both leaders – the body language spoke to that along with flattering comments from the president. At the Nato dinner he was placed with French President Emmanuel Macron and EU President Ursula von der Leyen. The Nato meeting was essentially a drum roll for US President Donald Trump off the back of the US bombing Iranian nuclear facilities and his efforts to bring Israel and Iran back to negotiations. The European partners in Nato have agreed to increase their defence budgets at Trump's urging. The meeting between Rutte and Nato's Indo-Pacific partners – NZ, South Korea, Japan and Australia – was more vanilla. Rutte's statement indicated Nato and the Indo-Pacific Four were committed to strengthening dialogue and co-operation, based on shared strategic interests and common values, and on the recognition that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific is interconnected. Rutte expressed Nato's gratitude to the Indo-Pacific partners for their 'steadfast support' to Ukraine and Flagship Projects. Where Nato and the Indo-Pacific Four will concentrate is on learning from each other on key topics, including the security of supply chains, development, production and procurement processes. They will look to collaborate on projects to deliver capabilities including in the space and maritime domains, and in the area of munitions. There will also be co-operation with Nato on emerging and disruptive technologies and opportunities to foster co-operation on innovation through relevant actors, including dual-use start-ups. It seems clear from the Nato statement that the interoperability of NZ's forces with the Western security alliance will also be pursued with the potential to create collaborative defence industrial opportunities. This is heady stuff. Luxon returned to NZ yesterday after 12 days on the road. He is faced with declining polls, the need to engage more with the senior business community through listening and to ensure domestic issues like NZ's energy security are solved. He's done a good job on the global stage - there is now work to be done at home.
Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Security adviser to discuss defense industry with NATO partners
Wi Sung-lac, South Korea's national security adviser, is expected to attend a meeting with the Indo-Pacific Four (IP4) nations Wednesday, where they are expected to address cooperation in defense industry projects. Wi is currently visiting the Netherlands to attend the summit in place of President Lee Jae Myung, who decided Sunday not to participate, citing the need to monitor the potential economic fallout from the Iran-Israel conflict. On Tuesday evening, Wi attended a dinner hosted by King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and engaged with European figures, according to the presidential office. 'The discussions will focus on areas of potential cooperation, particularly within pilot defense industry projects currently underway,' a senior presidential official said, referring to Wi's planned participation in the IP4 session. The IP4 — comprising South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand — are NATO's key partners in the Indo-Pacific region. The group has held annual meetings with NATO since 2022 to deepen cross-regional security cooperation. This year's IP4 session was initially planned as a high-level meeting involving the leaders of the IP4 countries, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and US President Donald Trump. NATO also mentioned the expected lineup during a press briefing Sunday. Following President Lee's decision not to attend, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his absence on Monday. Trump was also confirmed not to attend the IP4 session, with NATO officials stating in a press briefing on Tuesday that the meeting would proceed without US participation due to 'scheduling issues.' Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had already opted out of the summit earlier this year. With the absence of key leaders, it remains unclear whether Rutte will join the session. Currently, only New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon remains among the four IP4 leaders. Along with South Korea's Wi, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles are reportedly expected to attend Wednesday's IP4 meeting in their leaders' place.
Japan Today
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Japan Today
Ishiba's abrupt no-show at NATO summit reveals strained alliance with U.S.
By Craig Mark Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has sent a clear signal to the Trump administration: the Japan–U.S. relationship is in a dire state. After saying just days ago he would be attending this week's NATO summit at The Hague, Ishiba abruptly pulled out at the last minute. He joins two other leaders from the Indo-Pacific region, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, in skipping the summit. The Japanese media reported Ishiba canceled the trip because a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump was unlikely, as was a meeting of the Indo-Pacific Four (IP4) NATO partners (Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan). Participants pose for a photo at the NATO summit in The Hague, on Tuesday. Image: Haiyun Jiang/Pool via AP Japan was represented by Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, showing its desire to strengthen its security relationship with NATO. However, Ishiba's no-show reveals how Japan views its relationship with the Trump administration, following the severe tariffs Washington imposed on Japan and Trump's mixed messages on the countries' decades-long military alliance. Tariffs and diplomatic disagreements Trump's tariff policy is at the core of the divide between the U.S. and Japan. Ishiba attempted to get relations with the Trump administration off to a good start. He was the second world leader to visit Trump at the White House, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs imposed a punitive rate of 25% on Japanese cars and 24% on all other Japanese imports. They are already having an adverse impact on Japan's economy: exports of automobiles to the US dropped in May by 25% compared to a year ago. Six rounds of negotiations have made little progress, as Ishiba's government insists on full tariff exemptions. Japan has been under pressure from the Trump administration to increase its defense spending, as well. According to the Financial Times, Tokyo canceled a summit between U.S. and Japanese defense and foreign ministers over the demand. (A Japanese official denied the report.) Japan also did not offer its full support to the U.S. bombings of Iran's nuclear facilities earlier this week. The foreign minister instead said Japan 'understands' the U.S. determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Japan has traditionally had fairly good relations with Iran, often acting as an indirect bridge with the West. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe even made a visit there in 2019. Japan also remains heavily dependent on oil from the Middle East. It would have been adversely affected if the Strait of Hormuz had been blocked, as Iran was threatening to do. Unlike the response from the UK and Australia, which both supported the strikes, the Ishiba government prioritized its commitment to upholding international law and the rules-based global order. In doing so, Japan seeks to deny China, Russia and North Korea any leeway to similarly erode global norms on the use of force and territorial aggression. Strategic dilemma of the Japan–US military alliance In addition, Japan is facing the same dilemma as other American allies – how to manage relations with the 'America first' Trump administration, which has made the U.S. an unreliable ally. Earlier this year, Trump criticized the decades-old security alliance between the U.S. and Japan, calling it 'one-sided'. 'If we're ever attacked, they don't have to do a thing to protect us,' he said of Japan. Lower-level security cooperation is ongoing between the two allies and their regional partners. The U.S., Japanese and Philippine Coast Guards conducted drills in Japanese waters this week. The U.S. military may also assist with upgrading Japan's counterstrike missile capabilities. But Japan is still likely to continue expanding its security ties with partners beyond the U.S., such as NATO, the European Union, India, the Philippines, Vietnam and other ASEAN members, while maintaining its fragile rapprochement with South Korea. Australia is now arguably Japan's most reliable security partner. Canberra is considering buying Japan's Mogami-class frigates for the Royal Australian Navy. And if the AUKUS agreement with the U.S. and UK collapses, Japanese submarines could be a replacement. Ishiba under domestic political pressure There are also intensifying domestic political pressures on Ishiba to hold firm against Trump, who is deeply unpopular among the Japanese public. After replacing former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) last September, the party lost its majority in the lower house of parliament in snap elections. This made it dependent on minor parties for legislative support. Ishiba's minority government has struggled ever since with poor opinion polling. There has been widespread discontent with inflation, the high cost of living and stagnant wages, the legacy of LDP political scandals, and ever-worsening geopolitical uncertainty. Last Sunday, the party suffered its worst-ever result in elections for the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, winning its lowest number of seats. The party could face a similar drubbing in the election for half of the upper house of the Diet (Japan's parliament) on July 20. Ishiba has pledged to maintain the LDP's majority in the house with its junior coalition partner Komeito. But if the government falls into minority status in both houses, Ishiba will face heavy pressure to step down. Craig Mark is Adjunct Lecturer, Faculty of Economics, Hosei University. The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. External Link © The Conversation
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
PM Wraps Up Europe Visit At NATO Summit
Rt Hon Christopher Luxon Prime Minister Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has attended the NATO Summit in the Hague, alongside other world leaders. 'The Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions face many of the same security challenges. That's why it's important New Zealand is at the table at NATO for these critical discussions with likeminded partners,' Mr Luxon says. 'We can see the links between the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific in North Korea's support of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and Russia's technical expertise that can help North Korea develop its nuclear programme. 'Alongside NATO and its members, New Zealand is committed to the rules-based international system, and democratic values and norms.' During the summit, Mr Luxon held one-on-one talks with a number of leaders and met with NATO alongside the other members of the Indo-Pacific Four – Australia, the Republic of Korea and Japan. Mr Luxon returns to New Zealand on Friday 27 June.
AllAfrica
3 days ago
- Business
- AllAfrica
Japan PM's NATO no-show a shot across Trump's bow
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has sent a clear signal to the Trump administration: the Japan–US relationship is in a dire state. After saying just days ago he would be attending this week's NATO summit at The Hague, Ishiba abruptly pulled out at the last minute. He joins two other leaders from the Indo-Pacific region, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, in skipping the summit. The Japanese media reported Ishiba canceled the trip because a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump was unlikely, as was a meeting of the Indo-Pacific Four (IP4) NATO partners (Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan). Japan will still be represented by Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, showing its desire to strengthen its security relationship with NATO. However, Ishiba's no-show reveals how Japan views its relationship with the Trump administration, following the severe tariffs Washington imposed on Japan and Trump's mixed messages on the countries' decades-long military alliance. Trump's tariff policy is at the core of the divide between the US and Japan. Ishiba attempted to get relations with the Trump administration off to a good start. He was the second world leader to visit Trump at the White House, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs imposed a punitive rate of 25% on Japanese cars and 24% on all other Japanese imports. They are already having an adverse impact on Japan's economy: exports of automobiles to the US dropped in May by 25% compared to a year ago. Six rounds of negotiations have made little progress, as Ishiba's government insists on full tariff exemptions. Japan has been under pressure from the Trump administration to increase its defence spending, as well. According to the Financial Times, Tokyo canceled a summit between US and Japanese defense and foreign ministers over the demand. (A Japanese official denied the report.) Japan also did not offer its full support to the US bombings of Iran's nuclear facilities earlier this week. The foreign minister instead said Japan 'understands' the US's determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Japan has traditionally had fairly good relations with Iran, often acting as an indirect bridge with the West. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe even made a visit there in 2019. Japan also remains heavily dependent on oil from the Middle East. It would have been adversely affected if the Strait of Hormuz had been blocked, as Iran was threatening to do. Unlike the response from the UK and Australia, which both supported the strikes, the Ishiba government prioritised its commitment to upholding international law and the rules-based global order. In doing so, Japan seeks to deny China, Russia and North Korea any leeway to similarly erode global norms on the use of force and territorial aggression. In addition, Japan is facing the same dilemma as other American allies – how to manage relations with the 'America First' Trump administration, which has made the US an unreliable ally. Earlier this year, Trump criticised the decades-old security alliance between the US and Japan, calling it 'one-sided.' 'If we're ever attacked, they don't have to do a thing to protect us,' he said of Japan. Lower-level security cooperation is ongoing between the two allies and their regional partners. The US, Japanese and Philippine Coast Guards conducted drills in Japanese waters this week. The US military may also assist with upgrading Japan's counterstrike missile capabilities. But Japan is still likely to continue expanding its security ties with partners beyond the US, such as NATO, the European Union, India, the Philippines, Vietnam and other ASEAN members, while maintaining its fragile rapprochement with South Korea. Australia is now arguably Japan's most reliable security partner. Canberra is considering buying Japan's Mogami-class frigates for the Royal Australian Navy. And if the AUKUS agreement with the US and UK collapses, Japanese submarines could be a replacement. There are also intensifying domestic political pressures on Ishiba to hold firm against Trump, who is deeply unpopular among the Japanese public. After replacing former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) last September, the party lost its majority in the lower house of parliament in snap elections. This made it dependent on minor parties for legislative support. Ishiba's minority government has struggled ever since with poor opinion polling. There has been widespread discontent with inflation, the high cost of living and stagnant wages, the legacy of LDP political scandals, and ever-worsening geopolitical uncertainty. On Sunday, the party suffered its worst-ever result in elections for the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, winning its lowest number of seats. The party could face a similar drubbing in the election for half of the upper house of the Diet (Japan's parliament) on July 20. Ishiba has pledged to maintain the LDP's majority in the House with its junior coalition partner Komeito. But if the government falls into minority status in both houses, Ishiba will face heavy pressure to step down. Craig Mark is adjunct lecturer, Faculty of Economics, Hosei University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
