May 07, 2024
AUKUS dalliance threat to China trade
Former defense minister Peeni Henare is sounding a note of caution against rushing to join pillar two of the AUKUS pact.
Pillar two would give New Zealand access the advanced technologies expected to be spun out of a multi-billion dollar nuclear submarine deal between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Critics say the alliance is an attempt to keep China from expanding futher into the Pacific.
Mr Henare says Māori are asking how it could affect trade relationships with China.
“The vast majority of our primary products that Māori produce are exported to China and that’s just the reality. Some might argue we’re over committed into the Chinese market, but that’s our reality at the moment. So any AUKUS conversation has to be very, very well nuanced, and very careful and considerate when we talk about AUKUS,” he says.