Free trade Archive

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  Flying towards Chinese wages - by frog

  
  
  
  News that Air New Zealand crew based in China are being paid Chinese wages despite doing the same job as New Zealand based crew working on the same route probably should be applauded. After all, it is exactly the sort of efficiency that a free trade agreement with China will be trying to encourage upon [...] read more
  March 17, 2008 9:06 am - 5 Comments
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  The Minister of Fonterra Affairs - by frog

  
  
  
  There has been a suspicion for some time that the Minister of Foreign Affairs holds differing personal views on the issue of trade with China to those held collectively by Cabinet. So when Keith stood up today to ask the Minister about human rights abuse in China, there were a few waiting to see whether [...] read more
  March 13, 2008 7:57 pm - 8 Comments
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  Swapping water with China - by frog

  
  
  
  Part of Jeanette’s address in reply to the Prime Minister’s opening speech this afternoon pointed out the contradictions between the government’s sustainability rhetoric and its move towards a free trade agreement with China. Talking about a Chinese-made mango drink she nearly bought in Moerewa, she notes: …we are importing water and sugar from China in [...] read more
  February 12, 2008 10:26 pm - 29 Comments
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  The race to China - by frog

  
  
  
  New Zealand is likely to dot the ‘i’s and cross the ‘t’s on its free trade agreement with China this week.  So we can expect plenty excitement from some sections of the business media about increased export opportunities to China. (The Minister of Trade is picking between $NZ260 to $NZ400 million per year.)  Don’t however [...] read more
  December 3, 2007 4:38 pm - 18 Comments