Tuesday, 28 May 2024 13:25

Friend or foe?

Written by Milking It

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: China's ambassador to NZ, Wang Xiaolong, reminded NZ exporters who is their friend when it comes to fair trading on the global market.

Speaking at the Chinese Business Summit in Auckland last week, he noted that it was the Western industrial countries that preached to China in its early stages of development the virtues of an open market, free trade and sustainability.

Xiaolong noted that China has fulfilled all its commitments and obligations under WTO and its FTAs with other countries and regions including New Zealand.

"Then, ironically, the very countries having lectured us in the first place have ditched their own sermons. It so turns out that the 'fair competition', 'comparative advantage' or 'free trade' they espouse is but a game that must be won by them and them alone, and is for everyone else to lose."

He was reminding NZ of Canada's reluctance to open their dairy market to NZ products allowed under a trade deal.

More like this

China No Longer Just A Commodity Story - Luxon

China remains New Zealand’s biggest market, taking $23 billion of our exports, but it’s no longer a commodity story, says Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

Fonterra Expands China Foodservice Business with New Anchor Essence Cream

Fonterra is strengthening its foodservice presence in China with the launch of a new cream for professional bakeries at Bakery China 2026 in Shanghai.

Birth woes

OPINION: What does the birth rate in China have to do with stock trading? Just ask a2 Milk Company.

China’s new beef tariffs expected to favour New Zealand exporters

Additional tariffs introduced by the Chinese Government last month on beef imports should favour New Zealand farmers and exporters.

Cold comfort

One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact that, now more than ever, US farmers are being propped up by government welfare – a direct result of Trump’s hardline on its trading partners.

Featured

Farm Safety Improves Through 'Incremental Gain', Says Birkett

Improving health and safety is about incremental gain rather than a sudden decision, says Leeston farmer and Federated Farmers health and safety spokesman David Birkett.

Editorial: The Price of Progress

OPINION: Alistair Carmichael raises some interesting questions about striking a balance between profitability in farming and preserving the character of rural communities.

NZ Ploughing Champions' Gear Stuck at Sea Before Worlds

Ploughing champions Mark Dillon and Malcolm Taylor earned the right to represent the country at the World Ploughing Championships in Osijek, Croatia, on 5 and 6 September, after winning their titles at the New Zealand Ploughing Championships in Middlemarch in 2025.

Gallagher Adds Second Production Line as Wearables Boom

The man appointed to lead Gallagher's global Animal Management business through the next stage of growth believes the wearables boom is here.

Moxham Family's Organic Milk Now Comes as Gelato

Horowhenua organic dairy farmers Ange and Wayne Moxham have taken their business to a new level.

Faulkner: Take Rural Infrastructure Out of Politics

Federated Farmers' new vice president Sandra Faulkner says the issue of adverse events emergency management and infrastructure needs to be taken out of the three-year political cycle.