Waikato farmers say if Donald Trump scuttles the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement it will be a setback. But, they believe any US withdrawal from free trade may ultimately open up opportunities for Kiwi exporters.
Made with funding from NZ On Air.
By Hunter Calder.
Like millions of people across the globe last night, Federated Farmers Waikato spokesman Andrew McGiven watched as the US Election result unfolded.
"It was a big surprise... that Trump was ahead 244 to 179, I thought it would be close, but I thought it would be theother way," he said.
The major talking point among New Zealand exporters is the future of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, which, under Donald Trump, is unlikely to go ahead.
The CEO of Waikato Chamber of Commerce said "this naturally is a set back, if it doesn't progress any further, but it's not going to be the end for New Zealand traders."
He believes a shift away from free trade by the United States will open up opportunities for New Zealand.
"Trade is a very important part of New Zealand, sharing New Zealand with the rest of the world is something we do very, very well," he said.
It is a sentiment echoed by Federated Farmers spokesman Andrew McGiven.
"Where I see the benefit of the TPP not going through for the dairy industry is the fact of American production becoming less competitive as they loose cheap labour and become more insular so not as most product on the world market, which is a gap the New Zealand market can fill," he said.
The true impact on the region of what is a seismic shift in global politics won't be clear until next year. Donald Trump will be sworn in on the 20th of January, 2017.
