Todd McClay - Foreign Affairs and Trade
19 July 2018
National’s Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson Todd McClay has welcomed the United Kingdom’s decision to launch
public consultations of a NZ-UK FTA but says a negotiation must also ensure better access for New Zealand workers and
tourists to the UK.
“The UK market offers huge opportunity for Kiwi exporters. As New Zealand’s fifth largest trading partner with $6
billion worth of two-way trade annually, securing a high-quality FTA is important for our businesses and exporters and
that’s why we worked so hard in Government to get it started.
“The UK first signalled that New Zealand would be a ‘first cab off the rank’ for a post-Brexit FTA in March of last
year. The fact that New Zealand has been singled out as a priority shows we were right to engage with the UK Government
so quickly after the Brexit vote.
“The Government must make the most of the opportunity a trade negotiation presents. In particular it will be important
that Kiwis gain better work visa access to the UK, and improved access for agricultural products.
“I also welcome the UK’s interest in joining the revised Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.
“Growing the membership of the TPP increases the value and benefits for the millions of people in TPP-countries.
“The TPP is a high quality deal structured to allow other countries to join. I encourage the UK Government to make the
most of this opportunity.”
ends