How would Joe Biden becoming the U.S President prove beneficial for New Zealand?

Summary

• Joe Biden swearing in as the US President could reflect positively for New Zealand in the time to come.
• Congratulating Jacinda Ardern, on her re-election in November, Biden had expressed interest in developing stronger ties with New Zealand.
• Trade and economy of New Zealand are expected to benefit eventually when things start to get better in the United States, under Biden’s leadership.

With Joe Biden swearing in as the new President of the Unites States of America on his inauguration day held in the capitol on January 20, 2021, the world seems to be looking towards the dawn of a new era. After a rather eventful 4-year term spent in the office by Donald Trump, all eyes are now set on Biden and his government to see whether they can do better than their predecessors.

The first in many ways, with the Vice President being a woman as well as a woman of colour, Kamala Harris has also created history. As the world watches with intrigue the new US government take its first steps, let’s have a look at how it might affect New Zealand.

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New Zealand pins hope on the new US government

Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand Prime Minister had stated on November 8, 2020 that the relations between New Zealand and the US though strong, they wish to improve them after Joe Biden wins the election and comes into office. The issues they wished to work upon in the future were safety, success, and sustainability in regions such as the Pacific Island and Indo Pacific regions.

She had further stated that the international community had several challenges and hoped that Joe Biden and his team of able ministers would work towards these challenges and build stronger ties with New Zealand in the future.

She also said that Biden’s win would help the two countries in collaborating better on dealing with current issues such as COVID-19 and global warming.

New Zealand was also looking forward to strong economic recovery and being able to fight against COVID-19 in a better way.

Effect on Tourism Sector

The tourism industry, one of the worst sufferers in the Corona era, could also benefit in the time to come. When the economy in the US recovers under Biden’s able guidance, the American tourists would be a valuable asset to the New Zealand tourism. 

Taking over office as the US treasury, Janet Yellen, the former Federal Reserve Governor is expected to use the massive $1.9 trillion fund to create better benefits for jobless individuals, and other benefits such as dedicated money towards the development of states and cities, respectively.

On the flipside, at present there might not be as many policy changes witnessed as people may be anticipating. This means that most of the trade related regulations, including the China Tariffs levied by the Trump government are going to be as they are at least for some time in the future.

Biden’s New Zealand Visit in 2016

Biden has had good ties with New Zealand when he was Vice President for President Obama. In his New Zealand visit back in 2016, he had discussed economic ties and values that the two countries share and how they can further work upon building better relations.

Biden had also congratulated Prime Minister Ardern on her re-election in the month of November. He had also expressed his intentions to work towards building better ties with NZ in the future.

Trade and Economy ties in the future

However, it’s too soon to expect that trade channels become functional any time in the future. The primary focus of the newly elected President is going to be on controlling the situation of the pandemic throughout the country, as well as help recover the economy of the country.

In conclusion, if New Zealand can keep up the strong work on fighting the virus and rates of infection low in the future too, the successes of the US President will soon begin to reflect upon the economy eventually.