Luxon Advocates for New Zealand’s Global Influence in ASEAN Meetings

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon emphasized his commitment to securing “disproportionate influence” for New Zealand during a series of high-level meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. While attending the East Asia Summit and the inaugural full session of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) on Monday, Luxon engaged in bilateral discussions with leaders from Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos.

In a brief exchange with reporters, Luxon expressed enthusiasm for his role, stating, “It’s a part of the job I really love and enjoy, because it’s really about building relationships and rapport at an individual level.” He highlighted the importance of these connections, allowing for conversations about topics such as tariffs and collaboration. “What more can we do together?” he asked, reiterating the significance of personal ties with world leaders to enhance New Zealand’s influence.

As the second-smallest nation represented at the summit, following only Brunei, New Zealand’s participation comes at a time when establishing robust ties within the regional framework is critical. Luxon reflected on his extensive experience in the private sector, which he believes has equipped him with the skills necessary to foster these important relationships.

Multilateralism and ASEAN’s Role

The East Asia Summit featured prominent leaders including Li Qiang, the Chinese Premier; Anthony Albanese, the Australian Prime Minister; Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the President of Brazil; and Alexei Overchuk, the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia. The summit was officially opened by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who advocated for regional cooperation without external interference. He stated, “We’ll continue to advocate for dialogue over coercion, balance over binaries, cooperation over confrontation.”

Luxon positioned himself firmly in favor of multilateralism and collective security during discussions, aligning with sentiments expressed by other leaders. Notably, he refrained from commenting on former U.S. President Donald Trump, who departed Malaysia for Japan just prior to the summit. Trump’s approach generally favors direct dealings with individual countries over multilateral frameworks, contrasting sharply with the current discourse among ASEAN leaders.

According to David Capie, director of the Centre for Strategic Studies at Victoria University, New Zealand’s efforts to deepen ties with ASEAN are pivotal. He noted the organization’s significant ability to convene powerful nations, stating, “ASEAN has huge convening power. It pulls together the 11 countries of South East Asia but others outside the region too.” Capie emphasized the importance of inclusion in these discussions, whether related to trade or security.

Although New Zealand is not a member of ASEAN, it is on the verge of becoming the seventh “comprehensive strategic partner” of the organization. Capie described this designation as more than mere diplomatic jargon, indicating that it requires demonstrating substantial and diverse connections to succeed. “You have to show depth and breadth of ties to get a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” he explained, noting that it would have been easy for ASEAN to restrict its membership to larger powers.

As Luxon continues to navigate international relations, his focus on strengthening New Zealand’s position in the Pacific and beyond reflects a strategic effort to enhance the country’s global standing. The outcomes of these meetings may shape New Zealand’s foreign policy and economic partnerships moving forward.