New Zealand has dismissed its High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Phil Goff, after he questioned U.S. President Donald Trump’s understanding of history.
Speaking at an event in London, Goff compared Trump’s handling of the Ukraine war to the 1938 Munich Agreement, which allowed Adolf Hitler to annex part of Czechoslovakia. He referenced Winston Churchill’s opposition to the agreement and questioned whether Trump “really understands history.” His remarks came after Trump paused military aid to Ukraine following a tense exchange with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters condemned Goff’s comments as “deeply disappointing” and said they made his position “untenable.” He emphasized that diplomats must represent the government’s stance, not personal views. Peters, who also serves as deputy prime minister, made the decision to dismiss Goff without consulting Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, but Luxon later backed the move, calling it “entirely appropriate.”
Goff, a seasoned politician and former Auckland mayor, had held the diplomatic post since January 2023. His removal sparked criticism from former Prime Minister Helen Clark, who argued that global leaders frequently draw historical parallels between Munich 1938 and current U.S. policies. She dismissed the justification for his dismissal as a “very thin excuse.”
The controversy underscores tensions over Trump’s foreign policy, particularly regarding Ukraine. The 1938 Munich Agreement, which failed to prevent Nazi Germany’s expansion, remains a key historical reference in debates about appeasement. Goff’s remarks, though contentious, reflect broader concerns about Trump’s stance on global conflicts.
