New Zealand's Clever Moves in a Shaky Trade World

New Zealand is getting ready for a rough patch in global trade. The country's finance chief, Nicola Willis, thinks that teaming up with neighbors and other partners is the way to go. This is especially important with the U. S. and China at odds over trade. Willis recently talked about this at big finance meetings in Washington. She pointed out that even though there are risks, many countries are still working together. New Zealand has strong trade deals, like one with 11 countries including Canada and Japan. Even the European Union wants in on the action. Plus, a new deal with the United Arab Emirates looks promising. The good news is that most countries are still following the rules. Only a few, like the U. S. , China, and Canada, have raised tariffs recently. This means trade is still flowing smoothly for the most part. New Zealand is also serious about fighting climate change. They're sticking to their promises from the Paris accord, no matter what the U. S. does. Willis says extreme weather is a real threat, especially for small island nations. Plus, consumers care about emissions, so it's good for business too. Trade deals with the EU and others even include climate commitments. So, New Zealand is in good company. On top of that, New Zealand is boosting its defense spending. They're part of the Five Eyes group with countries like the U. S. and Australia, and they're ready to face any challenges ahead.