Make It Up!
PM Chris Luxon can't seem to buy a trick when it comes to the polls, particularly for his own approval rating as preferred Prime Minister.
US president-elect Donald Trump has the powers, delegated by Congress, to wreak havoc on international trade, says trade expert Stephen Jacobi.
The question is “will he use them?” Jacobi asks.
“The impacts and choices for New Zealand under a Trump presidency are unclear at best,” says Jacobi, a former diplomat who is executive director of the NZ International Business Forum and also on the NZ China Council.
“In the short term, I find it hard to see a way through for the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) in the ‘lame duck’ session,” he says.
“Longer term, the issues behind TPP (market access, better trade rules, actions to promote investment and reducing the costs of doing business) will all need to be addressed.”
Going forward, it’s all about policy, people and the president himself, he says.
“On policies, what will be the approach to trade agreements and what will be the new normal in the US relationship with China?”
Jacobi says it remains to be seen whether Trump really will rip up the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between US, Canada and Mexico.
“What about multilateral agreements like the WTO and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change? “On people, who will advise Trump on trade? Will the Republican establishment come back to serve in a Trump administration?
“On the president, how will his unpredictable and abrasive nature play into global policy?”
Mobile phone coverage and reliability are deteriorating in rural areas, and farming families are bearing the cost, according to a Federated Farmers survey.
HelloFresh New Zealand has launched a limited-edition Country Cookout Box of Southern-inspired meals, arriving as the 2026/27 rodeo season gets underway.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand Incorporated (BLNZ Inc) is marking 40 years of promoting red meat to New Zealand consumers, citing its taste, family meals and nutritional benefits.
Pāmu has welcomed Taranaki student Paige Burston as its newest First Foundation Scholar, supporting her journey towards a career in agriculture and animal science.
Farmer-owned fertiliser company, Ballance Agri Nutrients is welcoming National’s plan to negotiate security agreements with key supplier countries to protect New Zealand-bound products from export restrictions and greater supply chain certainty.
Carrfields has announced the appointment of Stu Hall to the newly created role of chief operating officer, Carrfields Ltd, reflecting the continued growth of their agribusinesses and the need to ensure the company has the leadership capacity and support in place as it pursues the emerging opportunities ahead.

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