US 'pivot’ from Europe, toward Asia, 'not surprising,' says New Zealand

​​​​​​​By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - New Zealand said Friday that the Donald Trump administration's pivot from Europe on the security front toward the Asia-Pacific region was "not surprising."

"It was not entirely unexpected for me, but I think it was a little unexpected for the Europeans," Defense Minister Judith Collins told Radio New Zealand.

However, she added that some "did not realize how vital" was the Asia-Pacific region.

She was discussing the Trump administration's demand for European nations to increase defense spending, including inside NATO as well as US Vice President JD Vance's stunning speech at the Munich Security Conference where he said the biggest security threat facing Europe was not Russia or China, but the "threat from within."

Collins also attended the conference in Germany last week.

“Everyone has to step up more; they cannot just rely on the taxpayers of the US. And that's true," she said.

Collins emphasized that Beijing was “not New Zealand’s enemy” but a trade partner.

However, she noted that China was “out of step” with New Zealand's security interests, particularly on the Cook Islands, and highlighted that it is “not the China of 15 years ago.”

The Cook Islands last week signed several pacts with China, snubbing Wellington's calls for oversight of what had been agreed between the two.

Her statement also came as two Chinese warships were on a voyage in international waters around Australia and New Zealand.

Commercial flights between Australia and New Zealand were put on notice Friday for "fears" of possible live-fire exercises by the warships southeast of Sydney.

Collins described the presence of the naval ships as an “an unusual move,” and “wake-up call” for Kiwis.

Beijing sending two warships to the region appears a tit-for-tat move as Canberra has joined her Western allies in flying and sailing spy planes and warships in the disputed South China Sea as well as the Taiwan Strait.