Nz-Us Free Trade Agreement – Still Achievable
Michael Barnett, Chief Executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and member of the NZ-US Council, was commenting on
US reports of that country’s intention to not link New Zealand into the Australian-US Free Trade Agreement negotiations
which were launched today.
US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick also said he didn’t think a parallel but separate negotiation with New Zealand
was a prospect at this time.
The US reports cited two impediments to moving forward with New Zealand:
NZ’s exports to the US such as dairy and lamb were “very sensitive”; and, Things have been done recently by NZ which
make an FTA harder to carry.
Commenting, Mr Barnett said that the agricultural impediment between the United States and Australia was a tougher issue
than between the United States and New Zealand. He pointed out that as well as dairy and lamb, Australia has substantial
beef and grain exports to the United States.
On the second point, Mr Barnett said the remarks were clearly code for US concern over the recent relationship between
New Zealand and the United States.
“We should not run away from this fact,” he said. “However at the same time we should recognise when NZ entered into the
bid for a FTA negotiation with the United States, we knew it would be tough and take time.”
Mr Barnett said recent events should not be allowed to diminish our determination to ultimately win a FTA negotiation
with the US. “In fact the resolve of the Chamber has been strengthened to work on building stronger links in Washington
and in NZ’s business community for a FTA.”
He confirmed intentions to appoint an experienced chief executive officer to develop a NZ-US FTA campaign.
He remained convinced that the depth in the NZ-US business relationship, and in particular at Chambers of Commerce
level, would help change US political expectations towards New Zealand.