“From what I’ve seen this is an agreement worth supporting, while it may not be anything we anted” he said. O’Connor reiterated Peters’ concerns about dairy, but said a deal with the world’s most populous nation was significant, even without dairy access. During the Clark Government, in which Peters also served as foreign minister, Peters opposed Trade Minister Phil Goff’s trade deal with China. India is notoriously protective of its domestic dairy sector and the deal has not managed to significantly increase access to New Zealand dairy exports. “The result is a high-quality trade agreement with a trusted partner that will deliver deep and lasting benefits for New Zealand.”Trade deal highlights:

Source: New Zealand Herald December 22, 2025 05:58 UTC