India–New Zealand FTA talks continue in Delhi as officials pursue trade breakthrough
This past week has seen another round of negotiations between India and New Zealand to produce a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
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.”
Tighter beef and lamb production globally have worked to the advantage of NZ, according to the Meat Industry Association (MIA).
Groundswell is ramping up its 'Quit Paris' campaign with signs going up all over the country.
Some farmers in the Nelson region are facing up to five years of hard work to repair their damaged properties caused by the recent devastating floods.
Federated Farmers is joining major industry-good bodies in not advocating for the Government to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.