Tuesday, 11 May 2021 12:00

Rock and a hard place

Written by  Milking It

OPINION: Appease the Chinese and protect your export trade, like dairy products, or infuriate them and face sanctions.

That's the dilemma facing the NZ Government as the treatment of Uyghur Muslims in China comes under scrutiny by our politicians. The ACT Party intends to put a motion to Parliament this week to debate the treatment of the Muslims.

The ACT Party says many of the recent reports from Xinjiang amount to genocide. But Labour and National aren't keen to use the 'G' word and sending Beijing into a fit of rage.

Trade Minister Damien O'Connor says the Chinese Government "clearly" would not like it if Parliament declared the treatment as genocide.

A conundrum then as the NZ Government is already facing criticism from our Five Eyes partners for appearing soft on China. Notice though, those same partners have dragged their feet when it comes to trade deals with us.

More like this

It's all about economics

OPINION: According to media reports, the eye-watering price of butter has prompted Finance Minister Nicola Willis to ask for a 'please explain' from her former employer Fonterra.

Red line on dairy

OPINION: As India negotiates to open its borders to more global products, dairy is proving a sticky issue.

Farmland security

OPINION: Paranoia about foreigners is at an all-time high in the US and attention is now turning to foreign-owned farmland.

Featured

National

Machinery & Products

Fliegl offers effluent solutions

Founded in Germany as recently as 1977, today, the Fliegl Group employs more than 1100 workers, offering an expansive range…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

It's all about economics

OPINION: According to media reports, the eye-watering price of butter has prompted Finance Minister Nicola Willis to ask for a…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter