With the recent trade agreement between Aus and the US, how has this been received in NZ?

It is a bit mixed. Obviously with out largely deregulated economy with few tarrifs and subsidies it is easier for us when trade deals are with countries with similar policies so I really don’t think a trade deal with the US would benefit us as much as it would them.

Will it affect NZ exports of primary products to the US and Australia, (and any other markets)?

We recently completed a free trade deal with China which is a huge market and I think we will benefit rather more from that than one with the EU or US. Our clothing industry is not overjoyed of course, but they have had years to prepare. The basic solution is that they can’t compete with cheaper imports so they should aim for a different market… ie go for quality and upmarket products rahter than cheap stuff that everyone can use.

How does a small western nation like NZ compete on world markets, as you must with your small domestic market, which I imagine is insufficient to support many enterprises?

The backbone of our income still comes from our farmers and this has been helped in the past by providing good quality products and the low value of our dollar making us a little cheaper than other countries. Our dollar is stronger now than it has been for quite some time and some exporters are feeling it. We have certainly diversified… including into the movie making business with computer animation company Weta that is competitive with the best. LOTRsTROTK, The last Samurai are just two of most recent movies to be made here and getting all those Oscars is likely to encourage more projects.

I have never been a big fan of the French, they seem totally ungrateful for anything the Allies did for them during WWII

And why should they be? How many American, British, Russian, New Zealand, or Aussie troops charge into battle with the cry “Come on Guys… Lets do this to save France!!!”.

I have friends who fought during WWII and have been to France since the war and seen the well tended gravesites and see many French people who treated them with the honour and respect they deserved… unlike the NZ rail service that decided that it wasn’t worth letting old veterans travel for free as there were only a few of them left anyway…

As far as most Americans being illiterate *******s, well….

Just had a quick look through the thread and the only comment that I think could be construed as negative toward Americans was my comment that those takin the poll probably couldn’t find the countries they were asked to judge on a map. I don’t think that is criticism… I think few people know where every single country is on a map, unless they travel a lot or are a geography teacher. That is why we have maps… so we don’t have to remember.

I was really suggesting that the results listed make me think that the scores are based on opinions that are not founded in anything but reputation. France has done something that most Americans don’t like to see… an ally with a differing opinion that is prepared to stand up and be heard.

If you take a poll of what is the best state in the US here in New Zealand the results wouldn’t mean much. Unless you were very lucky and managed to poll people who had actually travelled to the US and knew something about a state or two then you would likely get results that weren’t worth much.

I would like to close this post by saying that I opposed the war in Iraq because I knew it wasn’t about the iraqi people or WMDs but oil. I dind’t think it was right that US soldiers, British soldiers and lots of Iraqis should die for that.

That is not to say I hate US soldiers… they were just doing their job… nor do I blame the average American… even if polls suggest that most of you think it was about Al Qada… it was George Bush jnr that was at fault and that weasel Blair and brown noser Howard that people died.

Perhaps if wars were more costly to the politicians themselves there would be fewer… is mandatory that Presidents son is sent to front line or something…