National foreign affairs and trade policies released

A re-elected National Government would continue an independent foreign policy with a focus on stronger trade and economic partnerships, Foreign Affairs Spokesman Murray McCully and Trade Spokesman Tim Groser announced today.

“Our foreign policy record is strong,” says Mr McCully. “If re-elected, National will continue to reinvigorate New Zealand’s traditional partnerships with Australia, the UK and US, invest in our partnerships in growing regions including the Gulf, Latin America and Africa, and take our crucial trade and diplomatic relationships in Asia to the next level.

“Since coming into office, exports to China have risen from $2 billion to $11.5 billion, the result of careful management of the relationship. Our focus on ASEAN, including a cross-government strategy to build diplomatic, economic and logistical links, has contributed to an increase in exports to $5 billion per year, with Air New Zealand’s entry into the Singapore market providing a platform for further growth.

“National will maintain our unwavering focus on the sustainable development and prosperity of our Pacific neighbourhood,” says Mr McCully.

“New Zealand’s campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council will come to a conclusion in October. If elected we will bring fair and principled positions to Security Council decision-making and promote reforms to the way it functions.”

National has a clear target of increasing the ratio of exports to GDP from 30 per cent to 40 per cent by 2025. That means doubling the value of our exports by 2025. This will lock-in New Zealand as a small, but successful part of the global economy.

“Our active FTA agenda continues to deliver for New Zealand. This is critical to creating more jobs and generating higher incomes for New Zealanders. National will continue to proactively pursue a number of high quality free trade agreements to open up markets in fast-growing economies,” says Mr Groser.

“We will also continue our concentrated programme of helping exporters to maximise their use of export opportunities.

“National has made New Zealand Trade and Enterprise a better aligned and stronger trade promotions agency, and committed $69 million to boost the number of companies NZTE works with.

“On the back of the success of our programme of trade missions over the last three years, we aim to lead at least 30 ministerial-led trade missions to promote New Zealand companies in foreign markets.

“There is no future for our country in turning inwards and defensive. We have to be truly ambitious for New Zealand and engage with the global economy to provide a world-class future for New Zealanders,” says Mr Groser.

National’s Foreign Affairs Policy is available at: http://ntnl.org.nz/1laJvif

National’s Trade Policy is available at: http://ntnl.org.nz/1mLhF7F

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