Gyeongju In a closely watched diplomatic moment, U.S. President Donald Trump and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met privately on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in South Korea. The informal “pull-aside” meeting took place just ahead of a leaders’ dinner hosted by the South Korean President.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
The two leaders reportedly discussed ways to deepen cooperation on trade, regional security, and climate resilience. Prime Minister Luxon later shared on social media that it was “good to meet” President Trump and emphasized the strength of the U.S.–New Zealand relationship.
“New Zealand and the United States have a strong relationship, and today we met to talk about how we can make it even stronger,” Luxon posted.
A Strategic Encounter
The meeting, held in a private room near the summit venue, lasted approximately 10 minutes. Observers noted the warm body language between the two leaders as they entered the dinner together smiling and walking side by side while other heads of government arrived separately.
Diplomatic Significance
Though brief, the encounter was seen as a diplomatic win for Luxon, marking his first face-to-face with President Trump since taking office. Analysts suggest the meeting could pave the way for more structured bilateral talks in the months ahead, especially as both countries navigate shifting dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.
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