Ardern warns NATO of China's assertiveness & human rights abuses; US plans European military expansion; US GDP growth softens; King Salmon up for sale; Eyes on Auckland Unitary Plan; SME wages up 5.3%
If China retaliates & reduces its purchases of our products, will our 'friends' in the USA & Australia step up & buy more from us? Don't hold your breath.
The Chinese could well react to NZs re-alignment to the US/EU agenda (albeit on the condition of mitigating the power of UN security council veto rights). It is likely China might start the squeeze by reducing Fonterra's dairy access making up the difference from other non-aligned country sources. On the other hand, this would result in NZ having to reduce its dairy herd and thereby help NZ meet its commitments to reducing methane and NOXs.
It increasingly feels like Ardern is fishing for a bigger, more remunerative role in the international imperialist camp. At the cost of Aotearoa interests. NATO is the aggressive warmongering outfit that wants rules based (do what we say) for everyone except themselves. NATO is the outfit that has bombed and murdered tens of thousands in Syria, Serbia, Libya, and more, leaving chaos and poverty in their wake. The same outfit that bankrolled the overthrow of the elected government in Ukraine in 2014. And now Ardern can’t cosy up to these villains hard and fast enough. Meanwhile at home she and her coterie at happy to settle for bandaids on increasing poverty. I’m not a fan of Chinese imperialism. Aotearoa needs to push for the rejuvenation of the international non-aligned movement that helped keep the Cold War cold. How will cuddling up to merchants of death and destruction build more homes for Aotearoans? Rejig our collapsing health and education systems? Could the UNHCR or somebody give our PM a job? We’re done with her.
The only way to avoid war with China is to keep talking with them, regardless of how awful the CCP regime is. Aligning with the United States interests shouldn't be seen as a done deal for security either - the polirisation of that country seems to be only getting worse, and I can't see how it will improve any time soon.
Ardern states that relationships and economic architecture are more important than militarisation. When she follows with a wish to "halt the production of weapons that create our mutually assured destruction," I am sure she is referring to NZ's nuclear-free status rather than Ukraine's efforts to defend itself against an invader with no scruples. One country that has disappointed is Türkiye (lately known as Turkey, you can't blame it for wanting to change). Its Leader decided to hold to ransom the consideration of Sweden and Finland as future NATO members. At least until he was able to persuade the US to reward him for good behaviour in the form of expensive planes. I guess in any group, one can always expect there to be one who throws his toys out of the cot and then lines up for the group photo with a barely suppressed petulance. Shame - his countrymen are actually a great people, and remain friends of New Zealand even when they are enemies. Exactly what Ardern was talking about. But can we do this with China?
You are right In Between Days. My husband and I visited twice and were received as friends without question as we navigated the local buses and roads. I will never know how they figured we weren't American or British. The Greeks certainly didn't.
If China retaliates & reduces its purchases of our products, will our 'friends' in the USA & Australia step up & buy more from us? Don't hold your breath.
The Chinese could well react to NZs re-alignment to the US/EU agenda (albeit on the condition of mitigating the power of UN security council veto rights). It is likely China might start the squeeze by reducing Fonterra's dairy access making up the difference from other non-aligned country sources. On the other hand, this would result in NZ having to reduce its dairy herd and thereby help NZ meet its commitments to reducing methane and NOXs.
It increasingly feels like Ardern is fishing for a bigger, more remunerative role in the international imperialist camp. At the cost of Aotearoa interests. NATO is the aggressive warmongering outfit that wants rules based (do what we say) for everyone except themselves. NATO is the outfit that has bombed and murdered tens of thousands in Syria, Serbia, Libya, and more, leaving chaos and poverty in their wake. The same outfit that bankrolled the overthrow of the elected government in Ukraine in 2014. And now Ardern can’t cosy up to these villains hard and fast enough. Meanwhile at home she and her coterie at happy to settle for bandaids on increasing poverty. I’m not a fan of Chinese imperialism. Aotearoa needs to push for the rejuvenation of the international non-aligned movement that helped keep the Cold War cold. How will cuddling up to merchants of death and destruction build more homes for Aotearoans? Rejig our collapsing health and education systems? Could the UNHCR or somebody give our PM a job? We’re done with her.
The only way to avoid war with China is to keep talking with them, regardless of how awful the CCP regime is. Aligning with the United States interests shouldn't be seen as a done deal for security either - the polirisation of that country seems to be only getting worse, and I can't see how it will improve any time soon.
Ardern states that relationships and economic architecture are more important than militarisation. When she follows with a wish to "halt the production of weapons that create our mutually assured destruction," I am sure she is referring to NZ's nuclear-free status rather than Ukraine's efforts to defend itself against an invader with no scruples. One country that has disappointed is Türkiye (lately known as Turkey, you can't blame it for wanting to change). Its Leader decided to hold to ransom the consideration of Sweden and Finland as future NATO members. At least until he was able to persuade the US to reward him for good behaviour in the form of expensive planes. I guess in any group, one can always expect there to be one who throws his toys out of the cot and then lines up for the group photo with a barely suppressed petulance. Shame - his countrymen are actually a great people, and remain friends of New Zealand even when they are enemies. Exactly what Ardern was talking about. But can we do this with China?
You are right In Between Days. My husband and I visited twice and were received as friends without question as we navigated the local buses and roads. I will never know how they figured we weren't American or British. The Greeks certainly didn't.