Our politicians sometimes tell us we’re a trading nation –usually when they’re embarking on a trade delegation. It’s a pleasing self-image: plucky little New Zealand wheeling and dealing to pay our way in the world, championed by wise Helen Clark, wily John Key, charismatic Jacinda Ardern and now jolly Christopher Luxon.
But our trade as a percentage of GDP is below the OECD average and significantly lower than that of other small, open, liberal democracies. This measure was flat for 30 years; it’s been in decline for the past 10, despite our free trade deal with China. Signed back in 2008,
