US confirms: New Zealand’s foreign policy hurting trade chances
Hon Dr Lockwood Smith - National Trade Spokesperson
A far-reaching speech by US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick yesterday excluded New Zealand from a ten-point agenda
for trade, says National’s Trade spokesman Lockwood Smith.
“After completing free trade agreements with Chile and Singapore, Mr Zoellick says the next step for the US will be to
pursue free trade agreements with new partners such as Morocco and possibly Australia.
“Pointedly, Mr Zoellick never mentions New Zealand. He says that “The connection between trade and America’s security
is often better understood overseas.” He praises Australia for contributing to regional security, and other countries
that were quick to support America after September 11th.
“This is the most explicit confirmation yet that New Zealand’s lack of a relationship with the US is hurting our
economic prospects.
“Mr Zoellick confirms that a trade deal with Australia is a possibility, and notes that “Australia is a great friend to
America.” Even countries in Southern Africa and Central America are listed as having better prospects of a free trade
deal than New Zealand.
“These comments from the US administration are disappointing, but no surprise. It is confirmation that the Labour
Party’s traditional anti-Americanism is hurting our trade prospects,” said Dr Smith.