Tuesday, 15 May 2018 20:00

Reality check 2

Written by 

Your old mate notes that US President Donald Trump’s plans to grant exemptions to Canada, the EU, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and Australia from his upcoming trade tariffs on steel and aluminium but leave New Zealand off the list.

Trade Minister David Parker said the decision “disappoints the government”. However, even your old mutt could see the chances of NZ gaining exemption were about as realistic as a Clarke Gayford rumour. It is hard to see the Donald favourably responding to NZ when our own PM Jacinda Ardern was front and centre of the protest marches held here when Trump was first elected. It’s time she learnt that, unlike student politics, real-world politics means what you do and say about our allies can have real-world consequences for our economy.

Featured

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

Editorial: Passage to India

OPINION: Even before the National-led coalition came into power, India was very much at the fore of its trade agenda.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

A different shade of blue for Norwood

Norwood and ARGO Tractors, the Italian manufacturer of Landini and McCormick tractors, have announced an agreement that gives Norwood exclusive…

Kubota tests diesel engines

Kubota last month used the UK LAMMA Show to test the water with its new 200hp, four-cylinder 09-series diesel engines.

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Why?

OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…

Fat to cut

OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter