NZTE sees nothing to prove China is taking revenge on exporters

Thursday, 14 February 2019

NZTE says it has heard 'stories' but can't substantiate trade concerns.

New Zealand Trade & Enterprise says it has not detected evidence that China is making trade more difficult for Kiwi exporters, in the wake of concerns that bilateral relations between the countries are deteriorating.

Chief executive Peter Chrisp said he had contacted exporters over the past week and there were 'number of stories in the market'.

Questions to NZTE from National MP Todd McClay indicated he was concerned exporters of dairy, seafood and processed wood products were facing fresh obstacles exporting to China.

'We have been contacted by companies that have advised us of dilemmas.'

But facing questions from National Party foreign affairs and trade spokesman Todd McClay at a meeting of the Economic Development, Science and Innovation select committee, he said those issues had not been enough to substantiate a pattern that would suggest the issues faced by Kiwi exporters to China had changed.

* Chinese refusal to send ministers to New Zealand could be reason for 'Year of Tourism' delays

* Next development in Huawei saga may not be about 5G**

'Some people have got issues, some haven't got issues, but China is not the easiest market in the world to engage with. I am not sure if there is anything more than 'the normal' or not.

'I have got anecdotal stories but I haven't got a pattern I can comment on at this stage.'

The questions from McClay came in the wake of concerns that New Zealand might pay a price for a decision by the Government Communications Security Bureau in December to block Spark from buying 5G equipment from Chinese technology giant Huawei, and amid generally heightened tensions globally around relations with China.

The Government was this week forced to postpone the launch of the 'Year of Chinese Tourism', with sources suggesting that was down to officials being unable to pin down a Chinese minister to attend.

On Sunday, an Air New Zealand 787 plane en route to China was forced to turn back to Auckland because of an issue relating to on-board documentation concerning Taiwan.

McClay indicated after the meeting that he remained concerned.

'We are hearing increasing reports of exporters facing problems with exports to China.'

A spokesman said McClay was not prepared to give specifics due to confidentiality. But his questions to NZTE suggested he believed exporters of dairy, seafood and processed wood products might be facing retribution.

The Government needed to show 'greater urgency and ask government agencies for an urgent report on problems exporters were experiencing', he said.

NZTE chairman Andrew Ferrier said he had dealt with China for a long time. 'You are always going to have some friction at the border.

'We just don't have enough evidence to make a prediction there is anything new right now. I know everyone is speculating on it. We just don't have enough from our customers to give us anything,' he told MPs.