A Fox News host has blasted Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's comments on China in her NATO speech, saying China is not important to the US establishment.
Ardern spoke at the NATO summit in Madrid on Wednesday (local time), where she said China has become "more assertive and more willing to challenge international rules and norms".
US right-wing broadcaster Laura Ingraham shared her thoughts on Ardern’s speech on Twitter with a link to a Reuters report on it.
"Someone needs to remind New Zealand that no one in the U.S. Establishment cares about China -- or any part of the world, really, outside of Europe and the Middle East," she wrote.
Ingraham's comments left many confused, given the US does appear to care about China.
US secretary of state Antony Blinken last month said the US Government will stay focused on China as the most serious threat to the world despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
He said China is the only country with the intent and capabilities to reshape the global order and has the potential to undermine global stability.
"Beijing’s vision would move us away from the universal values that have sustained so much of the world’s progress over the past 75 years," Blinken said at the Asia Society in Washington DC.
Many tweets in response to Ingraham’s tweet expressed confusion.
"You realize she [Ardern] is saying it as criticism? I know your type like authoritarian leader like XI so I can understand why you were confused," one said.
"Nobody needs to remind New Zealand of anything. Their Government is more legitimate and more credible than our own," another tweeted.
"So now… you are the arbiter of other counties."
"China is a lot closer to New Zealand than the US is, so I don't think she was speaking to you, Laura," said another.
"Of course we should care about China!" one said
"Well that's where they live and China is a direct threat," tweeted another.
But some were in support of Ingraham’s viewpoint.
"Oh laura I love you so much you are my hero I absolutely adore you in every way," one wrote.
It's not Ingraham's first rodeo in weighing in on politics in Aotearoa, the broadcaster went viral in 2020 after Kiwis mocked her statement that MIQ facilities are "quarantine camps" and an "end of personal freedom" as part of Ardern’s "terrifying new response" to "rising COVID case numbers".
Kiwis were quick to hit back sharing photos of their MIQ rooms that were "very nice", while others shared events and activities in Aotearoa using #NZHellhole.
It seems even fierce Ardern critic ACT leader David Seymour wouldn't agree with Ingraham's comments.
In a rare move on Thursday morning, Seymour praised Ardern for her speech.
He told AM early while there are large issues at home, there is a need to build connections around the world.
"NATO is an organisation for people who believe in free and democratic societies and while I'm generally a bit critical of Jacinda Ardern, I'm very pleased that New Zealand's Prime Minister has been invited to speak at NATO."
