Korean Deal A Sell Out as Kiwi Dollar Soars
Korean Deal A Sell Out as Kiwi Dollar Soars
The government has done no favours to New Zealand farmers with the Korean FTA and to suggest otherwise is plain politicking, says Northland by-election candidate and New Zealand First Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters.
“For agriculture and fishing it is a shocker. Trade Minister Tim Groser is signing off a deal that has been worked on for years, including by myself, but has failed to negotiate in favour of New Zealand producers.
“While he and the Prime Minister are claiming it is great for Northland particularly, the dollar is soaring again, making our exporters less and less profitable and further hitting returns to farming, fishing and forestry for provincial New Zealand.
“Mr Groser should understand that I am talking to farmers and producers every day in Northland. I am not parked up in a rarefied atmosphere to advance my political persona and making up stories as we go along.
“New Zealand deserved a far better deal from Korea, because of our aid to them during the Korean War and our part in their bailout of the Korean economy during the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997, which I as Treasurer organised.
“The former president for Korea promised me personally a fair trade deal and the terms Mr Groser has negotiated simply do not fit that description.”
ENDS