Xi Jinping Reassures New Zealand on Trade
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping says his country’s trade deal with Australia won’t hurt neighboring New Zealand because demand from the world’s No. 2 economy remains strong.
Xi Visits New Zealand After Trade Talks
Xi spoke Wednesday as he swung through New Zealand at the end of a month of courting international leaders. He went so far as to write an open letter to New Zealanders, describing their country as a “shining pearl” on the Pacific Ocean.
Concerns Over China-Australia Trade Deal
China and Australia signed a preliminary free-trade deal earlier this week. Xi said people have been asking him if that will have a negative impact on New Zealand, which signed a free trade agreement with China in 2008.
Chinese Demand Seen as Opportunity
Xi said there’s so much demand among China’s 1.3 billion people that New Zealand should be more concerned about not having enough supply.
