Trade with the People’s Republic of China—The Early Years

Abstract

New Zealand’s early trade with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was overshadowed by America’s hostility to the new regime and the resulting New Zealand reluctance to promote trade and to establish diplomatic relations. In the early 1970s Britain joined Europe and New Zealand was faced with the necessity of finding new markets. At the same time changes in US policy, and diplomatic relations allowed the Chinese market to be developed. The trade grew and its composition began to change. Wool led the way, accounting for virtually all exports but by the 1980s its share fell away slightly, exports were diversified and dairy products began to develop slowly. Textiles provided the bulk of imports. The trade was on the cusp of a takeoff.