We've opened the Japans, Admiral Perry. Who's next?

[Brandan Walsh]

Reporter: "Why does Australia have negotiations on an FTA and New Zealand doesn't? Is it to do with their nuclear policy?"

Mr Bush: "No, not really. I mean I just think we haven't gotten started with New Zealand. The nuclear policy obviously makes it difficult for us to have a military alliance but we are friends with the New Zealands [sic].

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?thesection=news&thesubsection=&storyID=3529093

[Alcazar]

NZ Labour misses the boat again, I feel sorry though for the New Zealanders who want to advance out of socialism and who are kept down by Helen Clark (Uncle Helen).

For the first time, America has indicated that opposition to the war in Iraq looks set to cost New Zealand a free trade deal.
Trade Representative Robert Zoellick, has told the House of Representatives' Agriculture Committee that negotiating a deal will be difficult.
He says recent events have made it a tough proposition to take to Congress - and in doing so he served up the strongest warning yet that New Zealand's anti-war stand has hit chances of a free trade deal.

'Gotta be in it to win it!'

[ramchop]

The Government has abandoned its plans for a flatulence tax in the face of fierce farmer opposition and international derision.

[Brandan Walsh]

Mr Bush was asked by The Australian newspaper whether he agreed with Australian Prime Minister John Howard's comment in 1999 that his country was the US' "deputy sheriff".

Mr Bush promptly gave Australia a promotion.

"No. We don't see it as a deputy sheriff. We see it as a sheriff," he told the paper.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3196524.stm

[Brandan Walsh]

For the first time, America has indicated that opposition to the war in Iraq looks set to cost New Zealand a free trade deal.
Trade Representative Robert Zoellick, has told the House of Representatives' Agriculture Committee that negotiating a deal will be difficult.
He says recent events have made it a tough proposition to take to Congress - and in doing so he served up the strongest warning yet that New Zealand's anti-war stand has hit chances of a free trade deal.

Jeeeeez wayne, that was in bloody may. read the link on my original post.

[Alcazar]

Jeeeeez wayne, that was in bloody may. read the link on my original post.

Yes, NZ opposition to the war and general anti-Americanism is the reason why NZ won't be getting a free trade agreement with the US. The US has switched to a system of reward/punishment in regard to trade-linking trade to other politics.