'Devil will be in detail': Luxon on possible USA-China trade deal
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says a possible USA-China trade deal is positive news, but time will tell what it means for New Zealand and the rest of the world.
US President Donald Trump said a deal with China is "done" after two days of high-level talks in London.
Luxon welcomed the news but wanted to see the finer details.
"What we want to see is more certainty in the global trading environment, and I've read the reports as well," he said.
"The devil will be in the detail, but that can only be a good thing."
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Luxon said he expected to discuss the matter with China President Xi Jinping on his next trip the global giant.
"I'm sure that will be a topic of conversation about how we see the global trading environment and how we're observing in the region, but also around the world," he said.
Despite the trade uncertainty, Luxon said New Zealand exporters to the US had been making good progress.
"They're still finding really great opportunities to grow their businesses, they're doing a great job of targeting the right channels and customers," he said.
"But yes, of course that will be a big top of conversation when I do catch up with both President Xi and Premier Li (Qiang) in due course."
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay also welcomed the news of a possible US-China trade deal.
Trade Minister Todd McClay. (Source: rnz.co.nz)
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The overnight announcement comes as the government welcomes the state of the country's agriculture sector.
The Ministry of Primary Industries' Situation and Outlook report is projecting a double digit increase in New Zealand export revenues this year - though it warns about global uncertainty.
It estimates New Zealand's agricultural export revenue could reach just under $60 billion by the end of June, up from a dip in 2023-4.
McClay told Morning Report if a US-China deal has been done it would be "good news".
At an OECD trade ministers meeting in Paris last week he had met with the trade ministers of both China and the US.
Both had then gone off for joint talks so some momentum had been building to try and find a solution to their tariffs impasse.
If things calmed down for international trade it would bring "welcome relief" for exporters and result in some "sensible decision-making".
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Exporters 'go for value'
McClay said the remarkable growth in primary exports was very positive.
Dairy had enjoyed a solid season with a good supply of grass which had increased milk production.
The meat sector was performing well and for the first time $5 billion worth of kiwifruit had been exported.
Even the US market faced with tariff uncertainty was providing some opportunities for Kiwi exporters, citing the example of NZ King Salmon which has talked of increased sales at a higher price.
Kiwi exporters were working hard to add value to their products, McClay said. One example was selling ready to eat burger patties to China which resulted in greater returns for farmers.
"So we're seeing Kiwi exporters go for value, not competing on price anywhere as much as they used to."
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Luxon said the government, particularly McClay and Finance Minister Nicola Willis could take a "tremendous credit" for the growth.
"We've created the conditions for growth; it's ultimately up to the businesses themselves to go out and seize on those opportunities," he said.
"But if I think about the work that Todd's undertaken to make sure we're opening new markets, whether it's the GCC, the UAE, a 21% growth in the UK just in the last 12 months, a 28 percent in the EU by virtue of Todd bringing that agreement into earlier acceptance.
"There's been tremendous progress made on the trade front, and I think Nicola's work to make sure that she's cleaning up the books, good financial management, good fiscal management to lower inflation, to lower interest rates to get the economy growing, to get people employed - that's the work we've been doing as a government."
Luxon reiterated the government's belief in the importance of growth and said it was the primary industry sector pulling New Zealand out of a recession.
"We've got a really exciting future to shape it despite all the volatility that's out there in the world.
"Really proud of the primary industry sector, but also proud of the work of both Nicola and Todd and all of our team to create the conditions for growth as well."
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On building in sustainability
A government-backed grass certification standard for dairy and meat exports had been launched at Mystery Creek Fieldays yesterday, McClay said.
This would be highly desirable for markets in China, other parts of Asia and the Middle East, McClay said.
"Grass fed now is increasingly wanted by consumers and they're willing to pay more."
On sustainable products, Groundswell has been calling for New Zealand to exit the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
McClay said that was not going to happen mainly because it would make exports to many markets untenable.
He believed Groundswell and others were worried about higher costs and lower production if they adopted sustainable measures.
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"We've been really clear - we think through technology and other things we can meet these obligations without putting farmers out of business."
Alternatives to farmers going into the Emissions Trading Scheme were being worked on and would be announced soon.
McClay said the requirement of reducing methane by 10% by 2030 was on track to be met.
"So it shows farmers are willing to do it but we have to lean heavily into technology rather than just planting trees."
A number of products, known as methane inhibitors, have been developed already although they might have to overcome consumer resistance.
McClay said anything developed would have to go through rigorous scientific testing.
There would be a range of solutions developed and farmers would decide which ones they wanted to pick up.
"The overseas customers through the dairy company should be paying for this, not the New Zealand farmer."
rnz.co.nz
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