Editorial: Hope for the best
New Zealand's dairy industry is right to call out Donald Trump over the damage the additional 15% tariff the US is imposing on our exports but also imposition on lower tariffs on our competitors.
OPINION: President Donald Trump's bizarre hard line approach to the world of what was once 'rules-based trade' has got New Zealand government officials, politicians and exporters on tenterhooks.
They are crossing their fingers that NZ will somehow avoid the wrath that Trump has inflicted on Canada, Mexico and to a slightly lesser degree on China, while leaving the supposed enemy, Russia unscathed. Trump and his hatchet team have thrown the whole world into chaos, yet, unbelievably, many Americans think they are right.
The strategy from NZ thus far has been to be a 'stealth fighter jet' and remain unseen by Trump's radar. But how long will this be possible? NZ has a few things going for it, starting with the fact that we don't have a major trade imbalance with the US. And maybe being small is helpful - who knows?
The problem for NZ is that the US has grown in importance as a market for our meat, so yes, we do need the US, probably more than they need us.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's comments on the Trump administration have been carefully phrased so as not to offend. He has wisely taken the line of his officials, avoiding at all costs any comments that might offend or spark a negative response to NZ.
But despite this delicate diplomacy, the chances are that through no fault of its own, NZ will likely get caught in the crossfire between the US and the other countries it is targeting.
Opposition leader Chris Hipkins has said it's unlikely that NZ will get off scot-free in the turmoil that Donald Trump is creating. If any of NZ's trading partners suffer economically from what is happening, we too will likely suffer.
As of now, the Government is playing its cards right with the US and one can only hope this helps mitigate any major damage to our economy.
An independent report, prepared for Alliance farmer shareholders is backing the proposed $250 million joint venture investment by Irish company Dawn Meats Group.
Whangarei field service technician, Bryce Dickson has cemented his place in John Deere’s history, becoming the first ever person to win an award for the third time at the annual Australian and New Zealand Technician of the Year Awards, announced at a gala dinner in Brisbane last night.
NZPork has appointed Auckland-based Paul Bucknell as its new chair.
The Government claims to have delivered on its election promise to protect productive farmland from emissions trading scheme (ETS) but red meat farmers aren’t happy.
Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks could have a detrimental impact on any country's rural sector, as seen in the United Kingdom's 2000 outbreak that saw the compulsory slaughter of over six million animals.
The Ministry for the Environment is joining as a national award sponsor in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA from next year).
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