ABSTRACT

The trade relations between East Asia, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa can only be understood within the global context of trade. The contribution of the Asian Newly industrialized country is of particular importance since their dynamic economies made a substantial contribution towards the export boom in East Asia. Australia is a protected market through tariffs and quotas, and it is under pressure from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries to open up its markets and to cooperate more extensively with East Asia. Export trade from South Africa in advanced technology-based product-cycle goods is virtually non-existent, and South Africa relies increasingly on East Asia for the imports, particularly from Taiwan and Hong Kong. An expansion of trade with Australia, New Zealand and South Africa could prove to be an interesting option to East Asia in order to circumvent some of the protectionist effects.