Bush's body language on trade says it all

9 Comments
22 March 2007
Bush's body language on trade says it all

Helen Clark may have raised trade with President George W Bush but his body language when the subject was raised in front of the media said it all about New Zealand's chances, says National Party Leader John Key.

"It's clear that Helen Clark didn't even have trade at the top of the agenda when I criticised the lack of progress on an FTA before she left.

"The fact that she didn't have it high on her mind is unbelievable, and it's clear that she only raised it in the US because National raised the issue.

"And President Bush's reported reaction when trade was raised in front of the cameras after their meeting today speaks volumes.

"We have no hope of getting a trade deal before the next US presidential elections in 2008.

"This is a huge foreign policy failure by the Helen Clark-led Labour Government.

"She's had more than seven years to advance the relationship so we could at least get on the waiting list. But Labour has failed to even get New Zealand that far, while countries like Guatemala, Oman and Jordan - not to mention Australia - have jumped ahead.

"Instead, Helen Clark and her Labour Ministers have spent their time using anti-Americanism to play to a domestic audience in attacks on National – like Trevor Mallard's 'US bagman' allegations before the 2005 election.

"It's attacks like these that have seen no progress made on a free trade agreement – and Helen Clark has only herself to blame."

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#1 - David Farrar said:
2007-03-22 11:14 - (Reply)

Yes the purpose of such meetings isn't just to exchange platitudes but to advance items on the agenda of each party.

#2 - Luke Bailey 2007-03-23 19:07 - (Reply)

One must ask if we even need an FTA with the USA.Any "deal" we make will assuredly be to their benifit not New Zealand's.I dont believe that we should hold out too much on a Free trade deal as some holy grail of our future.We put far too much stock in our erstwile former allies doing somethng unselfish or just.Its about time this country woke up to the Pacific Century and acknowledge the part Asia has to play.It is either that or be left behind by the world

#2.1 - Don Boese 2007-03-23 22:04 - (Reply)

I think any trade deal with USA is a good deal for NZ. At least we can compete with the USA labour laws and wages to its workers..I see NZ as the underdog with any trade deal with China..Already we are seeing too many of our core manufacturing business heading over there to make use of their under paid workers. how can NZ business compete with wages @ $1 an hour?. we need very strong ties with the USA..we need them as friends and Allies.

#2.1.1 - Luke Bailey 2007-03-24 09:01 - (Reply)

We are also underdogs for a free trade deal with the US as well.At least the Chinese won't attempt to use us to legitimise actions the contravene both international law and UN protocol.That is what being an ally of America entails.And also most of our GDP is from primary production, same as it was in the 1960's.America has always been and still is extremely protectionist in its dealings vis a vis agricultureal imports and are almost as bad as the EU in terms of tarrifs.Do we really think theyre going to change that?

#2.2 - Donald Boese. 2007-03-25 20:51 - (Reply)

The reason New Zealand is often hung out to dry in any trade deals with other countries is the plain fact that we are so much like a pimple on a pumkin when dealing with Governments like China and the USA. China is already making inroads into our Labour market by demanding we allow their skilled workers access to employment in selected areas. There will be more demands from China..and all in their favour.. Thats a realistic view..As far as our dollars value is concerned ..at the moment our dollars value has nothing to do with anything but our high interest rate.

#2.2.1 - Luke Bailey 2007-03-26 10:54 - (Reply)

Just because we are a small country doesn't mean we cant have an impact with the big boys.We can make ourselves matter.Power isnt merely wealth and strength, but the ability to persuade.There is mor than one way to skin a cat. And yes our interests rates are high but i dont understand why? according to Labour our economies been in the best shape its been in since the 60's

#3 - Tim Armitage 2007-03-24 10:37 - (Reply)

Personally I think that a free trade agreement with the US should be one of the lower objectives when it comes to shaping our foreign policy. It would be more effective to place a lot more effort into a trade tariff negotiations within the WTO on agriculture and primary products. Like Key stated, when this sector is strong the trickle on effects are positive for all NZers. This will put the NZ economy in a much stronger position.

#4 - Luke Bailey 2007-03-25 19:39 - (Reply)

Exactly.The Primary sector is the lifeblood of the NZ economy.We need to ensure access for our products in a less protectist enviroment.it seems somewhat counter intuitive that the weaker our dollar is the better for our exports

#5 - admin said:
2007-03-27 22:34 - (Reply)

John has responded to this comment stream in a new video. See: On the importance of free trade with the US

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