New Zealand’s Future Plans for Addressing Trade Route Problems in the Red Sea
“We need to open up markets by giving government market access,” Mr. Amb. Burnett said. New Zealand is very committed to actively participating in world politics and economy, one of which is by cooperating with other countries through a free trade agreement (FTA). New Zealand needs manufacturing technologies imported from other countries. In return, New Zealand can utilize its large capacity of food capable of feeding up to five million people to increase food supply exports to other countries. This mutually beneficial trade leads to New Zealand’s efforts in creating FTAs as foreign policy priority.To preserve the nation’s interest in international trade, military security is key to facing international armed conflicts. However, New Zealand’s military budget percentage from national GDP has been decreasing since 1980 and its navy only operates nine ships. The reduction of the military budget was devastating for the military officials–since Mr. Amb. Burnett himself was a retired army officer. Nevertheless, Mr. Amb. Burnett reassured that New Zealand is an active country in international security and not a pacifist one. New Zealand has a long history of involvement in peacekeeping missions in South Africa, Middle East, Lebanon, Iran, and the Korean Peninsula. Beyond that, New Zealand is committed to develop its military by refurbishing old age defense equipment and buying a new one to complement its military capabilities.
