The US Customs and Border Protection agency says tourists to the US from 42 countries, including New Zealand and Australia, will have to reveal all their social media activity of the past five years under the new rules.
Australia’s Albanese is not getting involved.
“Albo” says the US is a “sovereign nation” that has “a right to set the rules”.
This is the same stance our Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, took this year when restrictions were first flagged.
Fair enough.
But these restrictions are onerous. Far more so than China, for instance, has imposed in the past before it adopted visa-free entry for our two countries. Surely some combined and public diplomacy would not go amiss?
Trump issued an executive order in January that aimed to protect the US by instructing that visas should be denied to anyone with “hostile attitudes towards its citizens, culture, government, institutions or founding principles”.
It is understandable the US has lingering security concerns. The 9/11 attacks still resonate. The country remains a target for terrorists and transnational drug cartels.
What is now flagged is broad and deeply intrusive.
There is a 60-day review period before these rules come into effect. But in essence, when people apply for a visa waiver under the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) process, the authorities would be able to extract their telephone numbers and email addresses over the past decade.
And at the border, officials would collect face, fingerprint, DNA and iris biometrics, plus names, addresses, places and dates of birth of family members.
This impending change to tourist visa requirements is already predicted to affect football fans planning to travel to next year’s Fifa World Cup, being hosted by the US with Mexico and Canada.
The Fifa World Cup ought to create a tourism bonanza for the US, given it is the world’s biggest major sporting event.
The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics zone – where Culver City (part of LA) will host the New Zealand team’s official hospitality base, known as “New Zealand House”, a cultural and fan zone at the Culver Steps and Town Plaza, featuring broadcasts, performances, and a hub for athletes, fans, and business – is already underway.
The New Zealand Olympic Committee is partnering with Culver City to create this dedicated space, making it a central point for showcasing Kiwi culture and connecting with global audiences during the Games.
I visited it recently, and what is in store is impressive. But it is also a large investment that needs folk to show up and not be scared off from going to the US in the first place.
At the recent US Business Summit, which I co-hosted, I asked the Prime Minister whether there would come a point where New Zealand would change its stance and take a more forward-leaning approach or “stand up” more assertively to the US (this was in relation to 15% US tariffs).
He took issue with the widespread view among exporters that New Zealand has adopted a “small-target” strategy.
“We actually are talking very directly about it … I just believe that you should be very direct and very up front about talking about those differences.
“This is one where we have done that, but we’ve also got to be pragmatic and practical. You may wish the world to be different, but you’ve got to deal with the world as it is.”
The Prime Minister’s contention is that Trump values authenticity, energy and a strong leadership presence, which has helped in their personal interactions.
This is seen as critical for raising New Zealand’s perspective on key issues and for achieving tangible outcomes in the New Zealand-US relationship.
But views have hardened. A recent mini-poll of 1000 New Zealanders found only 5% had very high trust in the US to act responsibly in the world; 28% had very low trust. Comparable results for China were 5% and 25%.
Luxon and Albanese may feel constrained.
Former political leaders are not hindered by the niceties of incumbency.
Phil Goff – at various times Foreign Minister, Trade Minister, Defence Minister and leader of the Labour Opposition – was sacked as New Zealand’s High Commissioner to London for his criticism of the Trump administration at a session at Chatham House.
Goff argues there is a McCarthyist tinge to the US administration’s latest moves. He expects he may face hurdles entering the US under the new restrictions.
Goff has relatives who have served in the US military, including a nephew who died in Afghanistan.
‘A very different world’
Another former leader is Malcolm Turnbull, once Liberal Prime Minister of Australia.
Turnbull recently joined former New Zealand PM Helen Clark in presentations here.
He has a unique perspective on the presidency, pointing out that Trump 2.0 is quite different from Trump 1.0. His contention is the GOP (Republican Party) is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Trump.
“He’s filled the administration with total acolytes and he’s completely in control.”
Turnbull believes the present challenges make it even more important for countries like Australia and New Zealand to increase co-operation with each other and with other like-minded nations, especially as the US pulls back from traditional international commitments.
A telling observation from Turnbull is that there is an element of cognitive dissonance at play with people who have had long relations and connections and understandings of the US.
“Half of our brain is saying it’s the way it’s always been. The other half is seeing the current reality. We’re not recognising this is a very different world.”
Turnbull stresses appeasing undermines respect and standing firm is crucial for maintaining dignity in international dealings.
There is one such opportunity crying out now.
My full interview with Malcolm Turnbull will run in early January.
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