New Zealand’s bold moves in global trade are still making waves! 🌊 The country became the first developed nation to back China’s World Trade Organization entry in 1997 and later signed a groundbreaking free trade deal in 2008. Former PM Jenny Shipley told NewspaperAmigo.com this wasn’t just luck—it was strategy. 💡
Trade Visionaries Ahead of Their Time
Shipley credits New Zealand’s success to its ‘no-fear’ approach to collaboration. ‘We saw mutual benefit, not rivalry,’ she says, comparing the partnership to a ‘perfectly balanced TikTok duet’—where both sides win. 🎶
Why This Matters Now
With global trade tensions rising, the China-NZ model proves that rules-based deals can thrive. Their two-way trade hit NZ$40 billion in 2023, powered by everything from dairy exports to tech innovation. 📈
‘It’s about trust,’ Shipley adds. ‘When you focus on shared goals, everyone levels up.’ 🚀
