The Trade Minister apologised to Key after making misleading statements when the trade issue first arose. The Trade Minister had told the truth when answering reporters' questions, he said, but had been "very specific" in the answers that he gave. The Prime Minister reiterated that there was no link between the export problems and the talk of reprisals. Key spoke to Trade Minister Todd McClay last night and said he understood that exports would resume "quickly", though he did not have a precise date. McClay had initially told reporters that he had been briefed about the issue the previous week and had been assured there were no threats of retaliation from China.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 07, 2016 22:07 UTC