In 2019, a Bradley armoured fighting vehicle was taken to the Lincoln Memorial for Fourth of July celebrations in Washington. Photo / New York Times
In 2019, a Bradley armoured fighting vehicle was taken to the Lincoln Memorial for Fourth of July celebrations in Washington. Photo / New York Times
Editorial
THE FACTS
The US celebrates its 249th Independence Day this month, commemorating the Declaration of Independence.
Nato nations have agreed to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP at the request of the US.
Te Pāti Māori advocates for New Zealand to become a military-free, neutral nation like Switzerland.
This week America will celebrate another birthday.
Hopefully the land of the free and home of the brave will do so without any incident or political violence.
Since 1776, both patriotic and not so patriotic Americans have celebrated Independence Day, the annual celebration of nationhood held on July4, with pride.
The day commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress, which established the birth of the country as we know it today.
America has a lot to be grateful for, and the world has a lot to be grateful to America for.
US President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference next to Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the 2025 Nato Summit in The Hague, Netherlands. Photo / New York Times
The US, among others, has been a force that has helped prevent another global war on the scale seen in the 1910s or 1940s. It should be recognised for its large contribution to peace, although that scenario is being increasingly tested daily with conflicts major conflicts in Europe and the Middle East.
America has also asked Nato nations to increase their defence spending to 5% of their GDP. The Nato countries have agreed.
It is no secret the US has also pressured the likes of Australia and New Zealand during the past few years to increase their defence capabilities. And New Zealand has, with the Government committing to spend $12 billion on defence over four years.
But New Zealand’s alliances, formal or otherwise, with liberal democracies have us playing a game of chicken with our biggest trading partner, China.
President Donald Trump doesn’t like China and the feeling appears to be returned in kind.
New Zealand is caught in the middle. We must stay in a good relationship with the Americans, but not to the point where our biggest trading partner shuts the door on future business.
Te Pāti Māori has often called for policy that it says would make New Zealand the Switzerland of the South Pacific – a military-free zone.
It wants New Zealand to be a neutral nation, similar to the landlocked European country’s historical and current stance. Te Pāti Māori cites a desire for New Zealand to be a friend to all and an enemy to none, especially in the context of international conflicts and alliances.
That’s very amicable and great hypothetically. But we live in reality. As a small nation we must do deals with the world, and this means both the US and China.
And so, as America prepares to celebrate its birthday again, we should send it a card and our best wishes.
