International Business News – New Zealand’s prime minister has been criticized for giving Biden a questionable gift.
The Chineseherald website reported that during his visit to the United States, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern presented Biden with a gift – a bowl made by New Zealand’s Corrisons.
Environmentalists and conservationists are outraged by the gift. The Ardern government said the product was supplied by businessman Nelson Parker, who was investigated for allegedly exporting logs to China, which was illegal.
The logging and processing of this tree is strictly prohibited from 2018. Environmentalists and representatives of local indigenous tribes believe the president of the United States should return the gift bowls that were given to him.
Fiona Farrell, president of New Zealand’s North Island Conservation Association, commented: “This is totally unacceptable! Biden should return the bowl. The Prime Minister’s choice of such a gift is shocking, and this is after the work we’ve done to protect Agathis dammara!”
Agathis dammara is one of the oldest tree species that survived the Jurassic period. Activists believe its logging could damage not only the ecosystem, but also important historical and cultural sites in New Zealand.