No plans to ‘choose sides’

Source: Xinhua | 2017-03-27

NEW Zealand did not plan to “choose sides” on trade between the United States and China, it said yesterday as Premier Li Keqiang arrived.

Trade Minister Todd McClay said closer ties with Beijing need not affect relations with Washington, which has withdrawn from the Trans-Pacific Partnership regional trade deal, a pact that would have included New Zealand but excluded China.

China is pushing a rival pact known as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which would include New Zealand.

“No, we don’t have to choose sides,” McClay told TVNZ.

“Wherever there is an agreement or an opportunity that delivers a greater fairness for New Zealanders in the US or China ... then New Zealand will look at that.”