Minnesota Governor Walz Calls China ‘Moral Authority’ in World Affairs

ST. PAUL, Minnesota — During a recent event hosted by the Center for American Progress, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz sparked controversy by suggesting that China may serve as the ‘moral authority’ in global negotiations, particularly in light of escalating tensions in the Middle East.

At the Friday morning event titled, "What’s Next: Conversations on the Path Forward," Walz noted, "Now, who is the voice in the world that can negotiate some type of agreement? Who holds the moral authority? Because we are not seen as a neutral actor, and we maybe never were." His remarks came amid Israel‘s military actions against Iran, which have heightened international concern.

Walz pointed out that the United States historically tried to mediate in conflicts, including during the Iran Nuclear Deal discussions. However, he asserted that the current perception of the U.S. as an ‘unbiased facilitator’ is misleading. "The neutral actor with the moral authority might be the Chinese," he stated, without elaborating on how China acquired that role.

While discussing unrelated topics, Walz expressed a peculiar hope for rain during an upcoming military parade hosted by President Donald Trump, scheduled for Saturday. "I have never so hoped for rain in my life," he commented, drawing attention to the significant event that coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.

Walz previously criticized Trump’s military parade by comparing it to the military displays in totalitarian regimes. "This is not Pyongyang on a Saturday," he remarked, implying that such parades bear resemblance to North Korea’s authoritarian exhibitions.

Amid these discussions, Walz took aim at Trump’s governance, labeling it as incompetent and portraying America as being in a ‘dangerous time.’ This follows his involvement in national politics, marked by his brief presence as the vice presidential running mate in the 2024 campaign.

On addressing criticism over his past remarks on Elon Musk and Tesla, Walz claimed that speaking out against the billionaire "worked” and reflected on how his statements impacted Musk personally.

Concluding on a reflective note, Walz humorously described himself as a ‘knucklehead’ when discussing the criticism and inconsistencies in his political stance during the campaign trail, stating, "I give you pretty good stuff, but I’ll also give you 10% problematic."