Peters’ anti-China tirade ‘ignorant’

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has demonstrated yet again his complete ignorance of international politics and trade, according to United Future leader, Peter Dunne.

Mr Dunne, who chairs Parliament’s foreign affairs, defence and trade select committee, was responding to Mr Peters’ latest tirade against the proposed Free Trade Agreement with China.

"It's not enough for him to fan the flames of xenophobia and racial division with his immigration stance, now he wants to attack the very lifeblood of the New Zealand economy - trade.

“It is patently ridiculous to claim that an FTA with China is a lose-lose.

“Our trade with China is already worth $1.7 billion in exports per year, and an FTA could boost that by another $400 million.

“As for any negative side effects on our economy, New Zealand already has very low import tariffs, so their removal is hardly likely to be earth shattering - particularly when the potential gains are factored in.

"Mr Peters wants to stop immigration, he wants to set a "flying squad" of brownshirts onto minorities, and now he's got something against trade.

“Next he'll be proposing that immigrants and other "undesirables" should live in special "work camps".

“Mr Peters vision for New Zealand is starting to sound rather like an autarky to me.

“North Korea is an autarky, so was Albania until recently - is that really the future Winston is offering us?” asked Mr Dunne.

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