I suspect then it will increase our reputation as a country serious about doing business.

The news was aired in amongst other stories about protests at China over the Tibet matter.

Nicholas O’Kane has it exactly as it came across here on Japanese national TV.

Trade is not a weapon in the battle for a free China. To be against a FTA with China is the equivalent of saying that we have a better chance at winning a boxing gold medal if all the boxers wore straightjackets. It’s a nonsense. Let’s free up everybody’s hands and worry about free speech issues separate from the economic ones.

2. Congress is the problem on free trade, not the White House (though under Obama or Clinton that might change).

Nothing to do with NZ’s ideological policies directed almost entirely against the USA and the former ANZUS defence alliance? Nothing to do with PM Clark’s comments about whom she would have preferred to see in the White House?

Trade protectionist policies always impede the development of constructive FTAs, but it would be short-sighted to discount additional factors such as political slights aimed at a former very close friend and ally.

This is the deal Rudd wants to sign before his re-election in three years time. And the Oz Liberals will be consulted every step of the way and agree with it.

And the only reason we do not have free trade with the USA is that we are a major farming economy (they have protectionist tendencies as those wanting a new WTO free trade round now realise) with a low size country demand for US exports (not much in it for them) and because OZ wanted to be politically/economically rewarded for being loyal and still in ANZUS (thus getting a free trade deal first).

“PS I think that a later thread has superceded this one.”

A thread that has been almost totally fucked up by your idiot buddy Nome. As usual.

“Despite the jet lag (we didn’t get into Beijing to 1.30am yesterday morning) the delegation was still fizzing when Goff briefed them on the details of the free trade deal late yesterday. … the mood at last night’s cocktail function was celebratory. Fonterra chairman Henry van der Heyden was upbeat.”

Fonterra is NZ’s largest exporter.

The only time in the last twenty years that I’ve felt like quoting Fran O’Sullivan, so I’m making the most out of it.

PS I think that a later thread has superceded this one.

And oh boy, did he ever have a smile on his face as he said that!

(Hence a marked lack of sympathy on my part when *the very next night* on the news the Waikato dairy farmers were all “poor us, we’re having a drought, we need help”…)

Example?

Doing that makes it appear that you have just looked the word up in your thesaurus…

Have now seen the Herald (NZ’s largest by far circulation daily newspaper), and Fran (the kiwiblog right’s favourite Herald columnist) reports that, “[Goff]’s got more than 100 votes in his pocket after the National Party agreed to support the legislation.”

So, Pascal et al. those filthy Communist tyrant-supporting Nats are morally implicated too.

And as for those who say that the devil is in the detail; true, but the exporters who have seen the detail are all saying what a great deal it is. Listen to the experts!

Yes I fear China a super power capable of human right abuses wherever it likes to do so. Who can stop them? Thanks Miss Klark you disgrace!!

Nope. Your craven obsession with what you perceive as demonstrating a “liberal” mindset has blinded you to the points that I and Phil Best have tried to make. Just put your narcissism aside for a second and try and digest the real issue here. Its not about trade with China. Trade with China has been going on for yonks. Its about an agreement with the Chicom generals, and spiting the USA. Look back up the thread and try and address the real issues people have raised. Not the fake and manufactured issues you imagine you see through your prism of narcissistic self indulgence.

NZ is on a roll and God willing we will continue Helen Clark and Phil Goff and the others who have put this FTA together will be viewed by our ancestors as pioneers and architects of a prosperous NZ.

And this comes from one of their fervent and most outspoken critics.

But praise where praise is due.

Because of our geopolitical position we are favoured. Think about this. In all seriousness which countries in the world really regards us as an enemy and a threat. We are a contributor to peace keeping and aid iniatitives well above our size using any measure.

Hats off to the Socialists They deserve their day in the sun

However before they relax the battle for election 08 recommences tomorrow