Diplomatic Dialogue: Luxon Meets Trump in South Korea

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held his inaugural in-person meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday in South Korea. The meeting occurred ahead of a dinner hosted by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and was part of Luxon's schedule for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

Luxon's meeting with Trump, who had recently arrived in South Korea as part of his Asian tour, marked a significant moment in New Zealand-U.S. relations, as the two leaders had previously only spoken via telephone. A video shared by media outlets captured the duo's discussion around New Zealand's renowned golf courses.

Despite a friendly exchange, trade tensions loom over the relationship. The United States imposed a notable 15% tariff on New Zealand imports, challenging the nation's exporters. While Luxon refrained from confirming if tariffs were discussed, he emphasized that the U.S. administration is well aware of New Zealand's stance on the issue.