Story: Cold War

Trade before rhetoric

Trade before rhetoric

This 1977 cartoon highlights New Zealand's ambivalent attitude towards its Cold War 'enemies'. Prime Minister Robert Muldoon thunders against the perceived belligerence of the Soviet Union – depicted as a Russian bear – then softens his stance when he realises a renewed trade deal with the Soviets is pending. While New Zealand was willing to fire anti-communist rhetoric, its range was checked by a desire to not endanger lucrative trading relationships with communist nations.

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Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: A-315-5-002
Cartoon by Malcolm Evans

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Gerald Hensley, 'Cold War - Cold War beginnings, 1945 to 1948', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/cartoon/32689/trade-before-rhetoric (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Gerald Hensley, published 20 Jun 2012