New Zealand recalled its top diplomat in Britain following comments he made questioning President Trump's understanding of history at a public event. This action highlights the sensitivities surrounding expressions of disagreement with the Trump administration.
Phil Goff, New Zealand’s high commissioner to Britain, made the remarks during a speech event in London on Tuesday, focusing on the war in Ukraine and peace in Europe.
Mr. Goff asked a question after Finland’s foreign minister, Elina Valtonen, spoke at the Chatham House think tank about Europe’s role against Russian aggression. He referenced Winston Churchill when questioning whether President Trump, who reinstated a bust of Churchill in the Oval Office, truly understands history.
The audience responded with laughter as Mr. Goff alluded to Churchill's criticism of former Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s deal with Hitler, seemingly connecting it to Mr. Trump’s relations with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. Mr. Trump has inaccurately attributed responsibility for the war to Ukraine rather than Putin.
Ms. Valtonen deflected the question by indicating that Churchill’s remarks were timeless.
New Zealand’s foreign minister, Winston Peters, described Mr. Goff’s comments as “deeply disappointing” and stated they made his position “untenable.” He emphasized that diplomats represent the government and its policies and cannot speak freely.
Mr. Goff, a long-time politician and former mayor of Auckland, was appointed to his London post in 2022 under Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. However, New Zealand's political landscape has shifted significantly, with the recent election of a conservative government.
Peters clarified that the decision to remove Mr. Goff was not a reflection of U.S. government relations but rather of diplomatic conduct. He noted that similar action would have been taken had the comments been directed at any other country.
This incident reflects the growing caution among U.S. allies in maintaining favorable relations with the Trump administration. New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon avoided criticizing Mr. Trump when discussing his interactions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, expressing continued trust in Trump as an ally.
In a related context, Australia’s ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, faced scrutiny over past criticisms of Trump prior to his appointment. The Australian government supported Mr. Rudd after he removed critical posts from social media, ensuring they were not seen as representing the government’s views.