June 27, 2023
Trade relations underpinning NZ-China stance
Former minister and diplomat Shane Jones says New Zealand needs to avoid being ensnarled in the geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is leading a trade delegation to China this week, and he’s set to meet President Xi Jinping later today.
Mr Jones says New Zealand has a $30 billion a year trade relationship with China, including a large Maori component.
“I’m sure the United States want us to be closer publicly, overtly, to them. However, they have consistently refused to provide New Zealand with a free trade agreement. China is our economic lifeline in terms of international trade, certainly primary produce trade, so only a fool would take that for granted,” he says.
Mr Jones says New Zealand has a strong tradition of having an independent foreign policy, and puts a lot of effort into developing the relationships that allow it to continue to do so.