New Zealand Foreign Minister Speaks with Secretary Rubio on Trade, Global Tensions

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) and New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters (L) speak with the press prior to meetings at the State Department in Washington, DC, on April 7, 2026. (Saul Loeb/ AFP via Getty Images)

By Rex Widerstrom

Rex Widerstrom

Rex Widerstrom is a New Zealand-based reporter with over 40 years of experience in media, including radio and print. He is currently a presenter for Hutt Radio.

View profile

April 9, 2026Updated: April 9, 2026

biggersmaller

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters has met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio amidst what he calls the most challenging circumstances the country has faced in the past 80 years.

“In times as complex as these, we highly value opportunities to meet face to face,” Peters said in a statement.

Both leaders discussed cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, as well as significant international developments, particularly the conflict in the Middle East and its impacts on the region.

A spokesperson for the minister, speaking to The Epoch Times from Washington, D.C., said the bilateral discussions had occurred at Rubio’s invitation and were “extremely valuable and productive.”

As is usual, trade was discussed, including “ongoing conversations on the issue of tariffs,” as well as critical minerals and other defence and security matters.

It was revealed in February that the two countries had confidential talks on critical minerals after U.S. President Donald Trump issued a proclamation on Jan. 14 declaring that countries that didn’t supply the critical elements would be subject to tariffs.

Peters invited Rubio to attend next year’s Pacific Islands Forum, which New Zealand is hosting, and encouraged the United States to continue to “play a fulsome role in the region in close cooperation with New Zealand and Australia.”

The pair also discussed priority matters in the Pacific, including energy supply chain issues and transnational organised crime.

Peters later confirmed that the United States has not asked New Zealand for any support as it continues strikes against the Iranian regime.

In response to the ceasefire announcement, Peters said in a later statement that New Zealand “welcomes all efforts to bring an end to this conflict.”

Briefly speaking to reporters before the meeting, Rubio acknowledged the economic hardship triggered by the war.

“The whole world’s been impacted, unfortunately, because Iran is violating every law known by striking commercial vessels in the Straits of Hormuz, and it’s a big problem for the world,” he said.

“I mean, this is a regime that doesn’t believe in laws, rules, or anything like that. It’s a state sponsor of terrorism, so it’s not surprising that they’re now conducting terrorist activity against commercial vessels.”