New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English said on Tuesday he has told U.S. President Donald Trump that he disagreed with his travel and refugee ban but that the conversation remained amicable.
Last week Mr. Trump had a testy exchange with Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull over a deal Australia reached with the Obama administration to resettle refugees in the U.S.
Mr. Trump later tweeted that the deal was “dumb.”
By contrast, English told Radio New Zealand that his 15-minute call with Mr. Trump on Monday was a “sensible, polite discussion” that affirmed the good relationship between the countries.
Mr. English said he told Mr. Trump he disagreed with the contested travel ban but didn’t berate him over it.
“I’m not there to scold him, although a lot of people might like us to do that,” he said.
Mr. English told the radio station that they also discussed China and North Korea.
“Clearly the U.S. president has some views about China, particularly over trade, over the South China Sea,” he said.
Australia and New Zealand are part of the “Five Eyes” intelligence-sharing program with Canada, Britain and the U.S.
The New Zealand Prime Minister said he told Mr. Trump that it was important that the U.S. maintains its presence and interest in the Asia-Pacific area, particularly after pulling out of a regional trade deal.
The White House said in a statement that Mr. Trump affirmed “the U.S. commitment to strong and active engagement in Asia” and thanked New Zealand for its contributions to international peace and security.
