PremiumOpinionOpinion byFran O'SullivanHead of Business·NZ Herald·10 Jul, 2026 09:00 PM6 mins to readHead of Business, NZME‌Trade Minister Todd McClay is preparing to chair the second meeting of the global Future of Investment (FIT) Partnership in Auckland next Friday. Photo / Mark Mitchell

As Donald Trump doubles down on tariff “diplomacy”, China pursues an increasing strategic economic agenda, and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) struggles to remain relevant, it is smaller trading nations that are stepping up to defend the rules on which New Zealand’s prosperity relies.

Against this backdrop, Trade Minister Todd