GOOD MORNING FROM LONDON #197
Relations between Australia and New Zealand are deteriorating. China is the focus with NZ rejecting the Five Eyes anti-China alliance. Five Eyes started with secret meetings between British + US Intelligence to coordinate actions to defeat Germany in WW2. Today the Five constitute UK, US, Canada, Australia + New Zealand. The focus has shifted from Germany in 1941 to China today. Australia is pushing China to toe the line. NZ is resisting.
Australia is an insignificant confrontation with China + normal export sales to China of barley, coal and copper have fallen significantly. Australia has scrapped BRI deals with Victoria. Yesterday NZ Foreign Minister said NZ was “uncomfortable” with US/UK efforts to press NZ into a common anti-China diplomatic position. NZ’s position has angered UK Foreign Secretary Raab/Tugenhadt + Tobias Ellwood, Chair of UK’s Defence Committee.
Some countries want the old Cold War approach + to isolate China in order to curb its economic growth. Others, like NZ, refuse to join the US/UK anti-China policy. NZ has decided to stand up.
