Wednesday, 04 July 2018 09:55

Potential risk to NZ’s primary exports

Written by 
Mike Petersen. Mike Petersen.

Mike Petersen says the potential US-China trade war poses long term threats for NZ products.

If there is a tariff on a product from the US into China, you’d have to question where that product will go, he says. It could displace NZ product in other parts of the world or it could find its way to NZ.

“The whole displacement effect could have a big effect on NZ as a country that relies very much on exporting and access to markets,” Petersen says.

“While it is not an issue directly impacting NZ, the spillover effects could be significant. They are the ones we have got to watch very closely.”

Petersen says several people suggest NZ may be advantaged by a US-China trade war.

“There may be a short term opportunity for some products into these markets as a result of the tariffs but the long term risk of it impacting on NZ products is far greater,” he says.

In some ways NZ needs to keep its head down; it does not need to join sides on any of this, Petersen says. 

“We need to keep our head down – keep calm and carry on. But equally we need to make sure our voice is heard and that people understand the risks of the trade war that is looking increasingly likely.”

More like this

Rabobank: China Quotas, Brazil Risk to Reshape Beef Trade

Chinese beef trade quotas and a looming suspension of Brazilian beef imports into the European Union are expected to reshape global beef trade flows over the remainder of 2026, with implications for New Zealand exporters, according to Rabobank's Q3 Global Beef Quarterly report.

From the CEO: Constants Across Four Decades

OPINION: This is my last article as Chief Executive, so I thought I’d take the opportunity to talk about three recurring issues which I have seen over the years, and which are almost certain to be issues in the future.

Featured

Arable ROI Crisis: Why Canterbury Farmers Are Moving On

Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers arable chair, Bevan Lill, said Beef + Lamb NZ data indicated that for the last six years, the average arable return on investment was about 0.8% while inflation ran about 4% - so the average arable farm was going backwards at about 3% a year.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

'LinkedIn Greens'

OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…

UK Warning

OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter