McClay announces FTA negotiations with Pacific Alliance
Trade Minister Todd McClay has announced the launch of free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with Mexico, Chile,
Colombia and Peru and says better market access and lower tariffs will be of real value to New Zealand exporters.
“This is a big win in the fight for better access for New Zealanders to important overseas markets. We've worked hard
for trade talks with the Pacific Alliance over the last two years and today’s announcement will be welcome news for our
exporters,” Mr McClay says.
“A high-quality FTA will open the door for New Zealand companies to do more business with the Pacific Alliance countries
and increase the $1.1 billion of two-way trade we currently have with them.”
Mr McClay made the announcement from the Pacific Alliance Summit in Colombia following a meeting with the Presidents of
Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Peru.
“The Pacific Alliance is a grouping of fast-growing, like-minded economies committed to the liberalisation of trade.
Between them they have more than 221 million consumers and a combined GDP of US$3.85 trillion, which is equivalent to
the world’s sixth largest economy,” Mr McClay says.
“Negotiating a high-quality FTA with the Pacific Alliance will also help the Government reach its ambitious Trade Agenda
2030 target of covering 90 per cent of our goods trade under FTAs by 2030.”
Media contact – Dan Parker 021 515 232
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