- Watch the full interview below
There will be less pressure for New Zealand to ‘‘take orders’’ from the United States (US) if Kamala Harris is the next president, Prof Robert Patman says.
Comparing the likely implications for New Zealand’s foreign policy of either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris in the White House after the November 5 US presidential election, Prof Patman said a Harris win would be less problematic for New Zealand.
"A Trump presidency would be much more difficult for the current New Zealand government to live with," the University of Otago international relations specialist told the Otago Daily Times’ Global Insight.
Prof Patman believes many New Zealanders would not favour being part of the Aukus security alliance under Trump, who does not support multi-lateralism.
"Mr Trump, and particularly his vice-president Mr Vance, would expect us to get off the fence and basically take orders, respond to the interests of, the United States."
Harris is likely to continue US support for Ukraine.
New Zealand’s relationship with China would be complicated with either Trump or Harris as president, but "less tricky" with Harris.
"New Zealand is doing a bit of a balancing act there: trying to be consistent with its political values but not ignoring its economic interests in relation to China."
Speaking on Global Insight, Prof Patman also discussed the likely effect on the US presidential election of the Trump assassination attempt and Joe Biden’s withdrawal as the Democratic candidate. The likely impact of the war in Gaza and Ukraine on the US elections, and the effect of the election result on those conflicts was also discussed.
