New Zealand said Sunday it did not plan to "choose sides" on trade between the United States and China, as Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived for a visit focused on the issue.

Wellington in 2008 became the first developed nation to sign a free trade agreement with Beijing and China is now New Zealand's second-largest commercial partner, with two-way trade worth NZ$23 billion ($16.2 billion) last year.

Both sides agreed late last year to upgrade the deal and Li's visit is seen as a way to speed up negotiations.

New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay said closer ties with Beijing need not affect relations with Washington, which withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) regional trade deal after President Donald Trump took office.

The pullout has jeopardised the future of the TPP, which 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."

Li, who has just wrapped up a trade mission to Australia, will hold talks with Prime Minister Bill English in Wellington on Monday.

He will meet business leaders in Auckland on Tuesday before departing early Wednesday.

Tweet

China's Alibaba to set up logistics hub in Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur (AFP) March 22, 2017
Alibaba and Malaysia announced Wednesday that they will set up a logistics and e-commerce hub in the Southeast Asian country to boost small and medium-sized companies, a first for the internet giant outside China. The hub will be located near Kuala Lumpur International Airport as part of a "digital free trade zone" formally launched by Alibaba's founder Jack Ma and Malaysian Prime Minister N ... read more

Related Links
Global Trade News

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only