Podcasts about free trade agreements

Chinese officials are watching the 2026 election for a signal on whether New Zealand's more United States-aligned security posture will become a permanent fixture. If they assess that it is, the trade relationship might be at risk. That's the opinion of David Mahon, a Kiwi business consultant based in Beijing. “New Zealand–China relations are already at their worst stage since diplomatic recognition,” he told the Of Interest podcast. “At the moment, there's not some sword hanging over us, partly because China is so busy dealing with a massive geopolitical mess, as all great powers and smaller and medium sized powers are.” But Mahon sees two risks in the future: China could retaliate by blocking the import of some non-essential luxury goods, or it could simply become “indifferent” towards its relationship with New Zealand. “New Zealand sells a lot of things to China. None of them are irreplaceable. In the end, it's just milk. In the end, it's just fruit or honey. That's something that we need to acknowledge.” “If you look at our free trade agreement, the profit margin, the rationale for many of our companies trading with China is only based on the fact we pay no tax. If we lost that free trade agreement. We would lose much of our business with China”. Mahon doesn't think the Free Trade Agreement is currently at risk but there are signs Kiwi businesses in China are nervous about the deteriorating relationship. An article written by China trade consultant Anna-May Isbey in a report published by the NZ Business Roundtable in China warned there could be direct consequences for geopolitical policies. “The language used by governments when navigating geopolitical tensions can have real commercial consequences. Exporters consistently express the view that New Zealand's longstanding, pragmatic, and independent approach to international engagement should continue,” she wrote. This perspective contrasts against security analysts in Wellington and elsewhere who are increasingly concerned about China as a security risk, and want New Zealand to bolster its defence capabilities and diversify its export markets. Government agencies have linked China to both foreign interference and cyber espionage in New Zealand, such as hacking the Parliamentary Service network in 2021. But a political pivot towards the United States, which began while Jacinda Ardern was Prime Minister, has been complicated by the country's plunging popularity in New Zealand. The United States is now seen by Kiwis as more of a threat than China, according to an annual survey commissioned by the Asia NZ Foundation. Mahon believes New Zealand should “learn to do less” and avoid taking sides in geopolitical competition which doesn't directly affect it. “Stop seeking the approval of these big countries that impress you so much, including Beijing … If we do less, and our need for the approval of other nations is less, then I think the navigation is going to be a lot simpler,” he said. Audio soundtrack opening is licensed from Shutterstock, Track 1219389 Monetization ID TFGEPGEI0LHEIJAI

On today's REX Daily Podcast, Dom talks with Greg Mirams, founder and Managing Director of Techion Group, about the latest iteration of the FECPAK animal diagnostics digital microscope and AI reading tool, being named a finalist in the upcoming Fieldays Innovation Awards and its new partnership with Farmlands... He talks with AgriZeroNZ CEO Wayne McNee about being part of a joint investment aiming to boost farmer uptake of low-methane sheep genetics, why the Cool Sheep® Programme is one of the few emissions reduction tools currently available for New Zealand farmers and the two Australian companies it's recently invested in... And he talks with Andy Caughey, Wool Impact CEO, about its new partnership with ASB, his recent trip to India as part of the NZ delegation to sign the Free Trade Agreement with India and what benefits it could deliver for the NZ strong wool sector. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.

Dom talks with Andy Caughey, Wool Impact CEO, about its new partnership with ASB, his recent trip to India as part of the NZ delegation to sign the Free Trade Agreement with India and what benefits it could deliver for the NZ strong wool sector. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.

Stocks rally to yet more record highs, despite another rise in oil prices, with hopes high that Presidents Trump and Xi can solve their trade and Iran conflict issues. US retail sales soften after the energy price shock. and NZ house prices fall. In our deep-dive interview, ANZ Economist Dhiraj Nim explains the strategic intent behind India signing a Free Trade Agreement with New Zealand. Before accessing this podcast, please read the disclaimer at https://www.anz.com/institutional/five-in-five-podcast/

13. Headline: The Ironclad Bridge: China's Strategic Military Foothold in Serbia Guest: Ivana StradnerSummary: Serbia and China have strengthened their "ironclad friendship" through a free trade agreement and military cooperation. President Vučić is integrating Chinese-made missiles and drones into Serbia's defense, creating a security threat for NATO and providing Beijing with a critical outpost in the Western Balkans. 131880 WIEN

The Free Trade Agreement with India has been signed, with National and New Zealand First continuing to disagree over what's been signed up to. Political reporter Giles Dexter examines how free the trade agreement actually is, and the coalition clash over investment and immigration.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Forestry, horticulture and sheep meat, those are some of the big winners of New Zealand's historic free trade agreement with India. The deal, which has been the Government's flagship trade policy was signed last night, with the public now able to read the full text. But there are key omissions, like New Zealand's biggest export dairy, and the government's own modelling shows economic benefits will be modest at first. Business reporter Anan Zaki has more.

The greatest sadness of the India Free Trade Deal, for me to this point, is that the rhetoric has not paid due respect to where free trade basically began. New Zealand. We are the pioneers. Well, the modern pioneers. The concept goes back to the mid 1800's where Britain and Europe had various deals. The GATT agreements of the 1940's made significant progress but the deal with Australia in the 80's put it well and truly on our radar and, along with Roger Douglas, Mike Moore made a name, if not fame, with the desire to do cross border business free from the impediment of tariffs. For a while free trade deals had their time in the sun. They got, I thought, a bit watered down with block deals. The CPTPP is your classic example and even our EU deal is widely accepted as being inferior to proper one-on-one deals like China or now India, because when you get 27 nations together there is bound to be a bunch of protectionists in there. India is also worth respecting because it's India and it's been a prize for many, many years. It's the last truly large country and, not just that, but a truly large country actually going places. If this country has an international calling card, it's trade. We box above our weight, we do business on quality, we buy and sell on a fair price and not a jacked-up protected price. Within all deals you will find critics or clauses that aren't perfect. It's free trade, not perfect trade, and even a free trade deal technically can, and does, host tariffs. But the intent, and indeed the outworking of them all, is that the business between two countries is better, freer and bigger than it was before signing. NZ First are on the wrong side of this and the irony cannot be lost that its leader is a foreign minister who spends his time globally looking to engage and encourage engagement between countries. Nothing encourages engagement more than doing business. Labour said it's not the deal they would have done. Isn't it? What is the deal they did when they were in power? That's right, there wasn't one. Successive Governments have failed to cross the line. This, without a shadow of a doubt, in 20 years will be like China; big, bold, successful and constantly upgraded. We will all see it eventually. But in the ensuing years since we were free trade evangelists, we've become increasingly myopic, if not racist. Free trade is what we are good at. We should celebrate what we are good at more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Patrick Phelps and Claire Amos. First up, New Zealand's Free Trade Agreement with India is being billed as historic. But what benefits will local businesses see, and when? Trade expert Stephen Jacobi analyses. Then, a new mine down south could add billions to the bottom line...but it would be in the middle of picturesque Central Otago.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 28 April, 2026, the BusinessDesk's Dileepa Fonseka outlines the detail from the Free Trade Agreement with India. We talk to the National Road Carriers about whether loosening restrictions on trucks will cause more potholes on our roads. New Zealand Cricket's new chief executive Geoff Allott tells us how excited he is about NZ20. And on The Huddle, Maurice Williamson and Josie Pagani discuss whether there really has been an assassination attempt against Donald Trump. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trade Minister says there won't be any unpleasant surprises in the final text of our free trade agreement with India. The deal is due to be tabled in Parliament today after Todd McClay signed it in New Delhi overnight. New Zealand First has concerns over what it means for immigration, while Labour's concerned about potential requirements for investing in India. McClay told Mike Hosking there's no reason for any concerns. He says this is a high-quality deal, they've been open with the public, and he feels like Labour have been through the deal more than his lawyers have. McClay says it's more than just an economic and trade agreement – it's also about our strategic relationship and our cultural and sporting connection. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says New Zealand's free trade agreement with India should be in effect by the end of the year. The deal's been signed in New Delhi overnight. It's due to be tabled in Parliament today, have its first reading in May, and then go through select committee and public consultation before its final reading, possibly in late September. Christopher Luxon told Mike Hosking that having the deal already signed is positive. He says there is a clause in the deal in which India will match clauses in any further deals that are more favourable than ours. Luxon also defended cancelling his weekly appearance on TVNZ's Breakfast, saying he's “pretty accessible” when compared to other leaders around the world. The Prime Minister's team ditched the regular interview with Tova O'Brien last week, saying Kiwis now consume media on many different platforms – however he'll still appear on a case-by-case basis. He denied that meant he was “chicken or running for the hills”, in Hosking's words. Luxon says that he reset how he wanted to engage with the media, and it was no different than what former Prime Ministers such as Jim Bolger, John Key, and Jacinda Arden had done. But he also referred to a “second issue” – referring to National Party whip Stuart Smith's reported run-in with TVNZ reporters last week. He said they respect the role of the media but highlighted the need for standards and rules in Parliament. “We've had an issue with TVNZ around that, and we've made that clear to TVNZ management.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There has been a lot of talk about the free trade agreement between New Zealand and India this week. Winston Peters says it's an "utter unmitigated disaster of an agreement for New Zealand's future." However yesterday Chris Hipkins confirmed Labour will support deal but did express concern about the investment target that's been set - 33 billion dollars. The deal is set to be formally signed on April 27th in New Delhi, and the full text is expected to be made public the following day. We want to find out more about it, so BusinessDesk senior correspondent Dileepa Fonseka chats to Jesse.

For most of the last decade, a trade deal between India and the EU seemed unlikely. The nudge came as the world changed around both. Nicolas points to three converging forces: the pressure of US tariffs under Trump, which gave both sides political incentive to show they had other partners; the shared interest in reducing dependence on China for critical supply chains; and India's loss of GSP preferential treatment in the EU from January this year, which created a very concrete economic urgency on the Indian side. Together, these forces did what years of diplomatic goodwill could not. The deal itself is ambitious by India's standards, covering tariff elimination on 96.6% of EU goods exports, significant reductions on cars, wine and spirits, and new services commitments across sectors that were previously off the table. But Nicolas is candid about the gaps. There is no chapter on government procurement, the sustainability provisions lack any real enforcement mechanism, and investment protection has been deferred to a separate negotiation. On the regulatory side, Indian exporters still face the carbon border adjustment mechanism on steel and aluminium, strict food safety standards that have already led to hundreds of rejected shipments, and product testing requirements that a tariff cut alone cannot resolve. On mobility, Nicolas notes that the framework for Indian professionals is genuinely more promising than what was on offer in the original negotiations, partly because the UK is no longer in the room and partly because Europe's labour market has shifted significantly. But immigration policy remains a national competence, and many EU governments are currently run by or in coalition with parties for whom restricting migration is a core political position. The gap between what Brussels signs and what Vienna or Rome implement could be quite wide, and managing expectations around this will be one of the more delicate parts of the implementation process ahead. Every two weeks, Interpreting India brings you diverse voices from India and around the world to explore the critical questions shaping the nation's future. We delve into how technology, the economy, and foreign policy intertwine to influence India's relationship with the global stage.As a Carnegie India production, hosted by Carnegie scholars, Interpreting India, a Carnegie India production, provides insightful perspectives and cutting-edge by tackling the defining questions that chart India's course through the next decade.Stay tuned for thought-provoking discussions, expert insights, and a deeper understanding of India's place in the world.Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review to join the conversation and be part of Interpreting India's journey.

Hopes of golden opportunities from the India free trade agreement, with Labour now giving the deal its backing. The Government's set to sign the agreement in New Delhi next week. It will reduce or eliminate tariffs on 95% of exports to India, the world's largest country. NZ Special Agricultural Trade Envoy and Meat Industry Association Chair Nathan Guy told Mike Hosking the business community needs this deal now more than ever. He says there's massive economic opportunity and growth opportunities, and even though the investment clause has been booted around as a political football, the exporters he talked to aren't concerned about it. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's written to the Prime Minister supporting the India Free Trade Deal being signed in New Delhi next week. National needed their support to pass the deal into law, since it was opposed by coalition partner New Zealand First. But Chris Hipkins remains concerned about the commitment to promote billions of dollars of investment in India, saying it's not affordable. Labour's Trade Spokesperson Damien O'Connor told Kerre Woodham the slow dribble of information was frustrating, but they've reached a point where the balance looks good for New Zealand. He says it does come with risks, but there are huge opportunities as well, and they needed to make sure the Government was going to commit to them. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's REX Daily Podcast, Dom talks with Professor Hugh Campbell from Otago University about government cuts to the science sector and what it means for NZ agriculture, the inevitable encroachment of AI and the pending Free Trade Agreement with India... And he talks with Dairy Women's CEO Jules Benton about the upcoming 2026 DWN Conference (May 5-6) in Christchurch, the Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year and Regional Leader finalists and an exciting launch coming up at selected Farm Source stores on May 1st. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 23rd of April, Trade Minister Todd McClay is off to India to sign the Free Trade Agreement, while Immigration Minister Erica Stanford discusses the success of the Active Investor Plus visa. After saying yes to an interview and demanding the right of reply, National MP Joseph Mooney pulled out of his interview this morning – Mike has a bit to say on that! After decades and decades in the politics game, our own Barry Soper has written a book on his career and the 12 Prime Ministers he has dealt with. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trade Minister's shrugging off comments by Winston Peters and says it's time to seal the deal. The New Zealand First leader strongly opposes the Free Trade Agreement with India, which the Government is signing in New Delhi next week despite not having the numbers to pass it into law. He fears it'll lead to rising immigration, which the National Party rejects. Trade Minister Todd McClay told Mike Hosking there's no problem asking questions, but the Government needs to move on and get the deal in place. He says the legal scrub's been done and it's being put in Parliament, as National wants it in force as soon as possible. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The leaders of NZ First and National have been trading jabs today, as points of friction get discussed. Winston Peters has voiced opposition to the Free Trade Agreement with India, which the Government is signing in New Delhi next week - despite not having the numbers to pass it into law. Winston Peters says despite this, he's not negotiating with Labour, even if they win the election. "I said, four years ago, clearly...I was never going to go back with Labour, for the reasons I laid out." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dom talks with Professor Hugh Campbell from Otago University about government cuts to the science sector and what it means for NZ agriculture, the inevitable encroachment of AI and the pending Free Trade Agreement with India. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.

Let's talk about something that is very crucial to our economy and that's the India Free Trade Deal. We are an exporter. We live because of what we export from the farms and in particular free trade deals help. So New Zealand's major exporters turned up the pressure on Parliament yesterday, urging all political parties to support the country's proposed free trade agreement with India. 28 exporters and industry groups including Federated Farmers, Zespri, Seafood New Zealand, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, they all signed an open letter organised by Business New Zealand and they described this free trade agreement as a strategic necessity for New Zealand's economic security. Remember the Government confirmed that negotiations with India wrapped up way back in December, but they still need sign off. Support from Winston Peters and New Zealand First has been withheld, largely over immigration concerns. What's in this deal that could allow even more immigrants from India to come here, and will they be able to drag a whole lot of their family with them? That's all been disputed in many ways, but it's enough to turn Winston off the deal. That means the Government now needs Labour's backing to pass the deal and Labour says, well we don't know the deal. We don't know all the deal. We're still waiting for key details before making a decision. So they're withholding their support as well. So now the Government has a negotiated free trade deal, but it doesn't have the numbers in Parliament to pass it, so that's a roadblock. Business New Zealand chief executive Catherine Rich says bipartisan support, support from all the political parties is essential for New Zealand's long term trade stability. She argues that with global protectionism all over the place, supply chain uncertainty all over the place, we need access to India, which is expected to become the world's third largest economy by 2030. There's a lot of business there, there's a lot of money and here we're given a foray into it. She says this is vital for exporters across horticulture, meat, seafood, wine, honey, wood products, technology, and services. That's a lot of our economy. Export New Zealand executive director Joshua Tan says the deal would be a major win for the wider economy and he warns that delays could leave New Zealand exporters at a disadvantage because India's doing other trade agreements, including with the European Union and some of the stuff that they've given to us, they won't give to us, they will give to someone else because they're canny negotiators. They say sign this and to sign it quick, here's a couple of things that'll be in your favour, but if you don't sign it, we'll take those away, we'll give them to somebody else. So we're being held under the gun. The Meat Industry Association, who also signed the letter, says the agreement would remove a 30% tariff on sheep meat and deliver gains for wool and pharmaceuticals and blood products. Nathan Guy's the chair there, he says New Zealand's primary sector needs this deal more than ever. This letter, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has criticised it. He says it's breathtaking that businesses would endorse an agreement without seeing the full text. He says they're wanting us to sign a contract blindfolded. Winston says his office has asked Business New Zealand and Catherine Rich whether the signatories have actually read the agreement and claims that they have not received a clear answer. Meanwhile, what's Labour up to, eh? Labour leader Chris Hipkins says his party recognises of course the potential benefits of a free trade deal like this for exporters, but he says the Government must address what he calls issues and inconsistencies before Labour can commit its support. He says that Labour's been seeking clarification for nearly two months, so if they've been asking for two months, how come they haven't got that clarification? Do you think National's trying to hide something? Is there something in there? I don't know. But for now, the India Free Trade Agreement remains uncertain, exporters are calling for urgency, New Zealand First demands transparency, and Labour is waiting for answers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Major exporters are urging political leaders to urgently back a Free Trade Agreement with India, warning against “playing games” with access to one of the world's largest and fastest‑growing markets. In an open letter released today, leading figures from New Zealand Inc. highlight the opportunity presented by India's 1.4‑billion‑strong consumer base, which is expected to become one of the world's fastest‑growing economies by 2030. The letter calls for bipartisan support, stressing the importance of removing politics from the process and focusing on the long‑term economic benefits for exporters. Signatories are urging the Government to move swiftly to secure the deal, describing it as critical to future growth and global competitiveness. New Zealand's Special Agricultural Trade Envoy, Nathan Guy told Mike Hosking it's time to get on with the deal. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ਭਾਰਤ ਅਤੇ ਨਿਊਜ਼ੀਲੈਂਡ ਵਿਚਕਾਰ ਮੁੱਕਤ ਵਪਾਰ ਸਮਝੌਤਾ (Free Trade Agreement) ਇਸੇ ਮਹੀਨੇ ਦੇ ਅੰਤ ਤੱਕ ਰਸਮੀ ਰੂਪ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋਣ ਦੀ ਸੰਭਾਵਨਾ ਹੈ। ਭਾਰਤੀ ਵਣਿਜ ਅਤੇ ਉਦਯੋਗ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਪਿਯੂਸ਼ ਗੋਇਲ ਨੇ ਪੁਸ਼ਟੀ ਕੀਤੀ ਕਿ ਨਿਊਜ਼ੀਲੈਂਡ ਦੇ ਵਪਾਰ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਅਪ੍ਰੈਲ ਦੇ ਚੌਥੇ ਹਫਤੇ ਭਾਰਤ ਦੌਰੇ ‘ਤੇ ਆਉਣਗੇ, ਜਿੱਥੇ ਇਸ ਸਮਝੌਤੇ ਨੂੰ ਅੱਗੇ ਵਧਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਕਦਮ ਚੁੱਕੇ ਜਾਣਗੇ। ਮੰਨਿਆ ਜਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਇਸ ਨਾਲ ਵਪਾਰ ਅਤੇ ਰੋਜ਼ਗਾਰ ਦੇ ਨਵੇਂ ਮੌਕੇ ਰਾਹ ਖੁੱਲਣਗੇ ਅਤੇ ਨਿਊਜ਼ੀਲੈਂਡ ਭਾਰਤ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਈ ਬਿਲੀਅਨ ਡਾਲਰ ਦਾ ਨਿਵੇਸ਼ ਵੀ ਕਰੇਗਾ। ਭਾਰਤ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਦੇ ਨਿਊਜ਼ੀਲੈਂਡ ਦੌਰੇ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਹੋਰ ਮਹੱਤਵਪੂਰਨ ਮਸਲਿਆਂ ‘ਤੇ ਵੀ ਗੱਲਬਾਤ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ। ਇਹ ਅਤੇ ਹੋਰ ਖਬਰਾਂ ਲਈ ਇਸ ਪੌਡਕਾਸਟ ਨੂੰ ਸੁਣੋ।

The European Union has negotiated a long-awaited free trade agreement with Australia. So important that EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen came to Canberra in person to sign the document together with Prime Minister Albanese. Business lawyer Dr. Wolfgang Babeck explains what is so important about this agreement. - Die Europäische Union hat ein lang erwartetes Freihandelsabkommen mit Australien ausgehandelt. So wichtig, dass deswegen EU-Kommissionspräsidentin Ursula von der Leyen extra persönlich nach Canberra kam, um zusammen mit Prime Minister Albanese das Dokument zu unterschreiben. Was an diesem Abkommen so wichtig ist, erklärt Wirtschaftsanwalt Dr. Wolfgang Babeck.

Questions around Indian students and family of visa holders are still roadblocks to Labour supporting a trade deal with India. New Zealand First's left its coalition partners in the lurch, rendering them dependent on Labour to ratify the agreement. But leader Chris Hipkins says there's a mismatch between how the deal's been presented and what the text actually contains. Damien O'Connor, the party's Trade Spokesperson, told Mike Hosking trade agreements don't typically include guaranteed work permits, but this one does. He says that Winston Peters stirred up concerns the deal will result in New Zealand being flooded with migrants, and while that's not the reality, they had to ask questions about the provisions and safeguards for that. O'Connor says they don't want thousands of students and workers coming into New Zealand and being exploited. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Politics Wednesday, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen joined Mike Hosking to delve into some of the biggest stories of the week thus far. They discussed the Government watering down the Auckland housing intensification plan again, Labour's concerns with the India Free Trade Agreement, and the bill going before Parliament today that could revamp holiday alcohol trading laws. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trade Minister doesn't see anything material in Labour's concerns over the India Free Trade Agreement. New Zealand First's shunned the deal, leaving its coalition partners reliant on Labour to ratify it. But Leader Chris Hipkins says his party's support can't be taken for granted, and he's concerned there's a mismatch between descriptions of the deal, and its contents. Todd McClay told Mike Hosking they're going to do this in good faith – a formal meeting has been set for tomorrow so they can go through the details and the advice, but it's rather straightforward. But he says Labour needs to make a decision soon. He says it's important that Parliament as a whole gets to scrutinise the deal instead of having individual parties closing the door. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's support for an India Free Trade Agreement remains tentative as it digs through the details. Leader Chris Hipkins has written to Trade Minister Todd McClay concerned the deal's contents don't line up with the version he's presented. Hipkins is warning it would be recklessly irresponsible for McClay to sign onto it without majority backing across Parliament. But Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour told Mike Hosking Labour needs to look at the broader benefits to exporters. He says the Government has a sea of red ink stretching out for decades looking at Treasury's accounts. Seymour says Labour needs to man up and put the best interests of the country at heart. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's new free trade deal with the European Union could unlock a $10 billion boost to trade, cut prices on European goods and expand access for local exports, though it comes with compromises for some producers. University of Technology Sydney Chief Economist Tim Harcourt explains what it means, before a look at the markets with Stuart Roberts from Stocks Down Under, as the ASX200 edges higher and mining stocks lift.

Australia finally strikes a free trade agreement with the European Union, Yumbah Aquaculture to shut down its operations on Kangaroo Island, and rural SA retailers running short on both diesel and fertiliser.

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Ruwani Perera, Jonathan Milne, and Chris Carter. First, with an intense string of storms hitting the country already this year, is it time to take politics out of weather planning? Then, the first National Infrastructure Plan poses a similar question. The panel take a look at a not-so-fringe political party in Australia that has risen astronomically in the polls, before assessing Labour's involvement (or lack thereof) in the government's negotiations of a Free Trade Agreement with India.

The South Australian record price for an Angus bull is smashed at auction, the Federal Ag Minister says the government is working hard for a good deal from the EU trade deal, and struggling Riverland grape growers look to exit industry by rezoning their land for housing projects.

Labour's issued a list of demands for the Government before it will sign up to the Free Trade Agreement with India. Chris Hipkins says the FTA needs stronger safeguards against exploiting migrants. He wants the full official advice on the deal released to Labour. He says the Party's particularly concerned around the expectation Kiwi businesses will invest $33 billion in India over 15 years. "I think it's almost entirely impossible, and that's why I'm surprised that they're trying to sign us up to that. To put that into context, I think that over the last 25 years, less than $1 billion NZD has been invested in India." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There has been a lot of noise around a possible Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and India.  The National party is keen to get it approved, but NZ First leader Winston Peters has been very vocal in his opposition to any deal. Many claims have been bandied around by many politicians, but we wanted to know what's the actual agreement likely to look like? RNZ Senior Journalist Gaurav Sharma chats to Jesse.

Trade Minister Todd McClay's recognised he could have been clearer about aspects of his India trade deal. He's in battles with Foreign Minister Winston Peters about the agreement's text, which hasn't been released. Peters has criticised student visas being uncapped but McClay says over-arching immigration settings can still change. He told Mike Hosking the deal's being legally verified, and India's asked us to withhold its release. McClay says India's negotiating with the EU and US and are sensitive about what they've given us, so we can only talk about things widely when India agrees. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trade Minister's hitting back at suggestions the India Free Trade Agreement will lead to a flood of immigration. Foreign Minster Winston Peters has said the agreement won't let us specifically cap Indian student visas, among other commentary on the deal. Todd McClay's confirmed that's the case but says they can cap student visas from all countries - as long as India isn't specifically discriminated against. "Others are saying is that hundreds of thousands of people, or tens of thousands of people are going to come over to New Zealand as a result of this agreement - I just want to take it back a step, this is a trade agreement, it actually isn't an immigration agreement." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recently concluded Free Trade Agreement, or FTA, between India and the European Union is unprecedented. Few bilateral arrangements in modern trade diplomacy can match the scale or ambition of what the ‘mother of all deals' has unlocked. Established in 1968, the EU Customs Union is a foundational pillar of European economic integration. With Turkey in the mix, India's biggest deal with the EU suddenly looks more complicated. Watch ThePrint Consulting Editor (International & Strategic Affairs) Swasti Rao explains. To read: https://theprint.in/opinion/india-eu-fta-turkey-customs-union/2840686/?amp

The Minister for Trade's attempting to put to bed concerns about our Free Trade Agreement with India, repeatedly voiced by the NZ First leader. Winston Peters claims it will let tens of thousands more Indian migrants enter the country. The Prime Minister has denied the assertion. Todd McClay told Mike Hosking there are no rights around migration in the agreement – instead it allows skilled workers to come to New Zealand for a limit of three years. He says trade deals are complicated and complex, but we do very well out of this deal. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 30th of January, Trade Minister Todd McClay responds to Winston Peters' comments on the Free Trade Agreement with India. Liam Sceats joins the show to talk his wildcard entry into the 70th NZ Grand Prix this weekend. Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson Wrap the Week and talk Judith Collins and smashing rackets. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode on 29th Jan 2026, we're talking about the recent India-European Union trade deal and analyzing who stands to gain and lose from this agreement.⁠Book a FREE call with Ditto⁠

Listen to the latest SBS Hindi news from India. 28/01/2026

AP correspondent Karen Chammas reports on a new free trade deal between the European Union and India.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rajeevsrinivasan.substack.comI'm sorry to be so cynical so early, on the very day it was signed, but let me be honest: the much-ballyhooed (“mother of all trade deals”, quoth Ursula von der Leyen, boss of the EU) signing of the Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union leaves me cold. Or maybe just underwhelmed. Because the words that come to mind are “desperation”, “buyer power”, and maybe “shotgun wedding”, or perhaps, as Hari, a friend, said, “rebound chicks”.Ok, so I am bad, but somehow, “revenge porn” also seems oddly appropriate. Are the Europeans now going to spill the beans about all their ahem… rendezvous with their erstwhile boyfriends?Bottom line, since I am a pessimist, I think this isn't going to end well. If I were an optimist, perhaps I'd have said the inflated expectations will come to nought.The first clue is that India and the EU have been negotiating this trade deal for twenty, yes twenty, years. And now it's a done deal in weeks. Did someone say, “shotgun wedding”?The second is that the EU has huge agricultural surpluses from coddling their farmers, referred to memorably by my favorite Whitehall simps, The Economist magazine, as the “butter mountain” and “wine lakes”. I really don't think Euro-farmers are going to grin and bear it when India refuses their stuff, and worse, Indian agri-products start showing up there.The third is that it seems like it was only yesterday that the Europeans were, in their usual supercilious manner, scolding India for not following their edicts about cutting off all trade with, and in effect un-personing (or whatever the equivalent is for a country) Russia.The fourth is that their media, especially Deutsche Welle, has kept up a steady stream of invective against India, allegedly the epicenter of colossal Hindutva crimes against sundry cuddly minorities such as Kashmiri separatists, Khalistani splittists, Rohingya illegal aliens, und so weiter. (Of course the BBC, The Economist, The Guardian et al are in a different, exalted league altogether, but I guess after Brexit, I can't blame the EU for their sins).I can sure I can think of several other reasons, which you, gentle reader, may or may not resonate with, but you get the drift.The good reasons, of course, are there:* Trump has basically abandoned the EU and hinted at winding down NATO. No more free lunch on defense. No more preferential treatment as good white countries.* The Chinese market has essentially slammed shut for Europeans. The perigee of this is the fact that Volkswagen is now planning to sell what in effect are white-labelled Chinese-designed and -built cars in China. To me that spells total surrender especially because Chinese EVs produced cheaply, at scale, are now eating them for breakfast everywhere. So now they need a new market. Why, India has 1.4 billion people! Bring on the BMWs! Because otherwise the crown jewels of German engineering, both the entire automotive industry and the famed mittelstand, are going to bite the dust. Hint to India's 180 IQ mandarins: bone up on “buyer power”.* Europe needs a supply chain that is independent of both the US and China to the extent possible. India may well provide a good part of it. For instance, in computing, it needs to stop being so cruelly dependent on US Big Tech, as argued by a Lund University professor in Europe wants to end its dangerous reliance on US internet technology (https://theconversation.com/europe-wants-to-end-its-dangerous-reliance-on-us-internet-technology-274042). Amen, brother. Ditto India, and maybe a few EU GCCs in India will do the trick. Or maybe they could just phone Sridhar Vembu.* Europe is falling off a demographic cliff at warp speed. They simply will not have the manpower, especially as any growth there will be primarily from immigrants. India will not reach zero population growth for some time, and therefore skilled Indian migrants on short term work visas will be positiveAll of these are good for the EU, but what's in it for India? As my friend Bapa asked, “So what is India getting? Are Europeans going to buy Indian shrimp?”

On January 27, 2026, India and the European Union are expected to announce “the mother of all trade deals” - a historic Free Trade Agreement covering 25% of the world's GDP. After decades of protectionism, India is pivoting fast, racing to sign deals with developed economies like the EU, UAE, and Australia while diversifying away from China. But why now? And where does this leave the US under Trump 2.0?In this episode, Anuj Gupta, Managing Director of BowerGroupAsia (India) and former Chief of Staff to India's Commerce Minister, takes us inside the room where these deals happen. We discuss:• The Big Shift: Why 2014 was the turning point for India's trade strategy and why they walked away from the RCEP trading bloc.• The Pivot: Why India is suddenly rushing to sign FTAs with the West after years of hesitation.• Geopolitics: How India balances Russian oil imports with EU trade ambitions and US strategic ties.• The Future: Is India trying to be a bridge between blocs, or becoming a “third pole” in the global economy?Whether you're a business leader, policy watcher, or just curious about where the world economy is heading, this episode breaks down why India's new playbook matters to you.Anuj Gupta leads the India practice at BowerGroupAsia. A seasoned policy strategist, he previously served as Chief of Staff to India's Minister for Commerce & Industry, where he helped shape key initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes and India's recent wave of FTAs. He has also led public policy for the Tata Group. Follow Anuj on LinkedIn or on X, @anujg • Follow the podcast on X, @IndoPacPodcast, LinkedIn, or Facebook• Follow Ray Powell on X, @GordianKnotRay, or LinkedIn, or check out his maritime transparency work at SeaLight• Follow Jim Carouso on LinkedIn• Sponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific

The Mercosur bloc of South American countries and the European Union have signed a free trade agreement in Paraguay's capital, after 25 years of negotiations toward one of the world's largest trade accords.

AP correspondent Donna Warder reports on a long-sought landmark free trade agreement.

RNZ Business Editor Gyles Beckford joins Bryan to chat about the new free trade deal with India.

AP correspodent Karen Chammas reports on a deal between India and Oman as India tries to counter U.S. tariffs through free trade agreements with other nations.