It would have been tempting to cry foul and to take on the Australians, some of whom are openly gloating – or are they merely happy – about what they see as a good deal. Let’s be frank, New Zealand would probably have put the same spin on such news.
Groser and Crewther are experienced in the global minefield of trade negotiations and have an excellent handle on what this latest FTA will achieve.
As Crewther points out, a key message is that China is continuing down the road of trade liberalisation and that is good news. China and Australia should be congratulated, not castigated, for what they are doing. This FTA will hopefully give greater world-wide impetus to trade liberalisation which will benefit us as a major agricultural exporter.
Even if Australia has made some short term gain by this deal, it should not be seen as problem, rather an anomaly which gives Groser the perfect excuse for quietly persuading the Chinese to give a little more to New Zealand by way of tariff reductions.
Groser points out that a strong Australian economy works in New Zealand’s favour; after all they are a major trading partner and the last thing we need is a flat Australian economy.
This FTA will put spring into the step of the Australian economy, especially its ailing dairy industry. As the old saying goes, a rising tide lifts all boats. With our mates across the water, we simply need to keep rowing.
