GOOD MORNING FROM LONDON 2 FEBRUARY 2021
When compared with its allies in the “Five Eyes” intelligence-sharing partnership — the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia — New Zealand is remarkable as the only country to not see a downward spiral in China relations since 2016.
Last week, the China-New Zealand free trade agreement, first signed upon in 2008, was upgraded:
· Tariff-free access for about 99% of New Zealand’s nearly NZ$3 billion ($2.15 billion) wood and paper trade to China.
· “NZ dairy exports to China will also be tariff-free by 2024
· NZ will increase “visa quotas for Chinese language teachers and tour guides,” says Reuters.
· Both countries have committed “to ensuring environmental standards aren’t lowered for a trade or investment advantage or used for trade protectionist purposes.”
· According to SCMP Beijing “agreed to open up to more New Zealand investors in areas such as aviation, education, finance, elderly care, and passenger transport,”.
Very difficult for the US to maintain an anti-China policy among its allies. Others will follow NZ + the EU. The dam is breached.
