Give China trade priority and take a neutral foreign policy stance
What it actually does
Says New Zealand must give trade priority to China and avoid criticising China, and that 'Trade before War' should be the country's axiom, with a neutral stance on conflicts that do not threaten New Zealand. It would review all trade agreements, seeking a balance between free access and 'Trump like' protective tariffs, and keep a close military alliance with Australia.
Source: conservatives.nz · 2026-07
The Trump take
“They called tariffs 'Trump like'. Thank you, very nice. But then they want to be best friends with China? You can't have it both ways, folks. Well, I can, but they can't.”parody
Why it scored this way
China
Prioritises trade with China and avoids criticising it
-2
Hates it
Defence
Neutrality instead of joining allied confrontations
-1
Dislikes it
Trade
Openly considers some tariffs to protect local manufacturing
+1
Likes it
On the same topics
One-stop consenting for new supermarkets, accept US/UK/EU labels
ACT proposes a single consenting point so new supermarket entrants can get consents, liquor licences and approvals "in months, not years", and would let food labelled for trusted overseas systems such as the US, UK and EU be sold without relabelling. ACT opposes forced supermarket break-ups proposed by other parties.
Cut spending and foreign aid back to 2017 levels
ACT's fiscal plan would return non-welfare spending to 2017 levels (adjusted for inflation and growth), cut the annual operating allowance from $2.4b to $2b, reduce foreign aid to 2017 levels (excluding aid to Ukraine) and abolish 'demographic' ministries. ACT says net core Crown debt would be $12.4b lower than forecast; health, education, defence, police and children's services are exempt.
Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Act 2025
Amends the Crimes Act 1961 to create offences targeting covert or deceptive foreign interference intended to harm New Zealand, with select committee changes clarifying protest and advocacy are not criminalised by themselves. Assented on 25 November 2025.