\n<\/p>\n
Mr Luxon pointed to a newly signed supply chain resilience pact between New Zealand and Singapore as an example of how such cooperation can take shape.<\/p>\n
The agreement \u2013 the world\u2019s first legally binding bilateral deal to ensure the flow of essential supplies during crises \u2013 was inked in Singapore on Monday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the event of a crisis, New Zealand will provide Singapore with food, and Singapore will provide New Zealand with fuel,\u201d said Mr Luxon, who witnessed the signing alongside Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.\u00a0<\/p>\n
New Zealand currently receives about 30 per cent of its fuel through Singapore\u2019s refineries, while Singapore relies heavily on food imports.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a good way in which two complementary economies can support each other and have each other’s back in times of crises,\u201d Mr Luxon noted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an example of where Singapore and New Zealand pioneer and develop new trade architecture together. We could model out and remake the case for multilateralism.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He added that such arrangements could be expanded further, as both countries look to make trade \u201cmore frictionless\u201d and bring in other like-minded partners.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At the same time, Wellington remains a strong advocate for freedom of navigation and international law, said Mr Luxon, cautioning against any precedent that could disrupt global shipping routes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don’t want to see a precedent where there is tolling or taxing of the Strait of Hormuz, that could impact other waterways that (we) utilise to move goods and services around the world,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He added that countries must avoid retaliatory measures, including reciprocal tariffs, that could undermine the global trading system.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTrade ministers need to uphold our international trading laws. We don’t want to see a tit-for-tat and a breakdown of our trading architecture around the world,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, Mr Luxon said New Zealand plans to deepen its engagement with Southeast Asia.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He also highlighted efforts to reinforce the Pacific Islands Forum, a grouping of 18 Oceania members, drawing parallels with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations\u2019 (ASEAN) principle of centrality in maintaining its security and stability.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to make sure that the Pacific family solves challenges with its own solutions, rather than being interfered with by major powers,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are working hard \u2026 to build what we call the \u2018Pacific centrality\u2019, based off a lot of what we’ve observed through ASEAN.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mr Luxon on Tuesday wrapped up a three-day official visit to Singapore, where he met his Singaporean counterpart PM Wong and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and attended the inaugural Singapore-New Zealand Leadership Forum.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n