Bill English and Rex Tillerson have an afternoon of talks ahead of them. Photo / Audrey Young
Bill English and Rex Tillerson have an afternoon of talks ahead of them. Photo / Audrey Young
Prime Minister Bill English says he will register New Zealand's "disagreement" with the United States' decision to leave the Paris Accord on Climate change and the TPP when he meets US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
"We'll express our disagreement with the US policy position as we have on them withdrawing from the TPP," English said at Parliament.
"But the meeting will focus more on the ongoing relationship, our support for the US as a stabilising influence in the Asia Pacific and how we can work to maintain that because it is of mutual benefit to our economy and to the region."
He said he would expect to discuss the significance of trade with the US in the Asia Pacific region but he would not be raising the issue of a bilateral free trade agreement with Tillerson.
The Secretary of State arrived in Wellington today after a visit to Australia where he and Defence Secretary James Mattis had talks with their counterparts amid concerns that Donald Trump's Administration was abandoning its global leadership role in favour of isolationism.
They also attended the annual Shangri-La defence forum in Singapore where US and Australian rhetoric against China's build-up in the South China Seas strengthened.
Asked if was time to get tough with the United States, English said that although he would express disagreement with the withdrawal from the Paris Accord, Trump was simply "doing what he said he would do".
"This is an opportunity though with Secretary Tillerson to discuss our broader common interests in the Asia Pacific.
"So whatever happens with the Paris Accord, we are committed to that. They aren't. But we do want to see the US continue to exercise its influence across the Asia Pacific and make decisions that are consistent with that."
Rex Tillerson, flanked by New Zealand Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee, left, and kaumatua Kura Moeahu receives the challenge from a Maori warrior.
He said the US had a big reach with its defence forces and its influence and it had been a positive influence in the Asia Pacific region.
WHO IS REX TILLERSON? Rex Tillerson is the 69th US Secretary of State and the first never to have served in public office.
He was shoulder-tapped for the role by US President Donald Trump because of his knowledge of global affairs as chairman and CEO of petroleum giant ExxonMobil - the world's sixth largest company.
Tillerson, from Texas, is a civil engineer and joined Exxon in 1975, eventually working his way up to the top job in 2006. In 2015, Forbes named him among the 25 most powerful people in the world.
In his ExxonMobil role, he has dealt directly with world leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin, and he opposed sanctions imposed on Russia in 2014 after that country's annexation of Crimea.
Under his leadership, the oil company has publicly acknowledged the threats of global warming, though it has been criticised after it emerged it had known about the problem since the 1970s but covered it up.
Tillerson is a devoted Boy Scout, having earned the highest ranking of Eagle Scout in his youth. He remained committed to the organisation, serving as national president between 2010 and 2012.
He reportedly began using a Scouts-like reward system at ExxonMobil, giving employees badges for achievements.
Tillerson has openly admitted that he did not want the Secretary of State job, telling US media he had hoped to retire at his Texas ranch after four decades with ExxonMobil.
