Christopher Luxon to visit United States, attend NATO summit

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is set to visit the United States and attend the NATO summit in Washington.

The US visit from 9-12 July focus on investment and the trading relationship with New Zealand.

“The United States is the world’s largest economy and our second biggest trading partner. It plays a leading role in world affairs. It is imperative that we have good relationships with key American decision-makers, so they understand what New Zealand is trying to achieve in the world,” Luxon said in a statement.

Luxon meet members of the US Administration and Congress in Washington DC.

He will visit San Francisco, California, to promote greater investment links between New Zealand and the United States.

The prime minister will also take part in the NATO Summit, meeting Alliance leaders and joining counterparts from Australia, Japan and Korea in a meeting of the Indo-Pacific Four.

It is the third time group of 32 North Atlantic countries has invited Indo-Pacific partners to discuss shared challenges.

“Prosperity is only possible with security, with our discussions set to focus on our collective efforts to support the rules-based system”, Luxon said.

Luxon visited Japan on a trade mission in June overshadowed by a Defence Force plane breakdown and controversy over his “C-listers” comments.