WELLINGTON, June 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday visited New Zealand amid protests by New Zealanders on U.S. withdrawal from Paris climate agreement.
Tillerson reaffirmed the strong relationship between the United States and New Zealand during his first visit to this country.
After meeting with the U.S. top diplomat, New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English said Tillerson had reassured him of the U.S.' ongoing engagement in economic and security spheres in the Asia-Pacific.
Tillerson's arrival was greeted by New Zealand protesters braving bad weather to gather at the parliament to send a message of disapproval to the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.
English said that they discussed New Zealand's disagreement with the U.S. decision to withdraw from the Paris deal.
Tillerson defended President Donald Trump's stance that the decision was based on the U.S. interest.
Tillerson said the U.S. valued the ongoing defense relationship with New Zealand, which was seen in the deployment to train Iraqi forces in the Middle East.
On London terror attacks over the weekend, he said that contributions by nations towards counter-terrorism were very important, as the tragic events in London showed.
The United States has asked its partners to increase their contributions in Afghanistan, including an extra two personnel from New Zealand.
Asked about Trump's unpredictability on Twitter, Tillerson said that the U.S. president "has his own unique way of communication with the American people and the world."
