The Meat Industry Association says concerns about human rights should be kept away from trade, as it welcomes China’s bid to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Signatories to the trade deal, such as Australia, have previously voiced strong concern about China’s human rights record
But a leading export body in New Zealand, the Meat Industry Association, said that Aotearoa should back the bid.
Chief executive Sirma Karapeeva said geopolitical and trade issues are separate.
“The government has spoken very clearly about New Zealand’s approach to a sovereign and a standalone foreign policy approach, and I think it’s important to keep geopolitical issues away from trade issues.
“They’re separate, and they don’t necessarily need to bleed into one another.”
China is New Zealand’s largest trading partner. Around 170,000 Chinese call New Zealand home, while approximately 5,000 kiwis reside long term in China.
