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NZ US Council at Auckland TPP Negotiations

The NZ US Council will be represented at the fourth round of negotiations to expand the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) in Auckland next week.

“TPP is an ambitious undertaking between nine participating economies aimed at establishing a new pathway for freer trade and investment in the Asia Pacific region”, said NZ US Council Executive Director, Stephen Jacobi.

“We are still at the beginning of a complex and possibly lengthy negotiation. Next week’s round with New Zealand in the chair is an opportunity to make further progress towards a comprehensive outcome which reflects the way business is being done in the region and addresses the interests of stakeholders”.

Mr Jacobi said the NZ US Council would join the Singapore Business Federation and the US Chamber of Commerce in organising a lunchtime seminar in Auckland on Monday 6 December which would look at new business issues in the negotiation.

“Our three organisations fully support the concept of an ambitious outcome from an expanded TPP. We see scope for in including provisions which increase the ease of doing business, promote the efficiency of regional supply chains and establish a basis for regulatory coherence and greater co-operation amongst regulators”.

The seminar builds on the successful outcome of a similar event held in the margins of the APEC CEO Summit in Yokohama last month. A further opportunity for discussion with American interests will arise in the context of the fourth US NZ Partnership Forum which would be held in Christchurch 20-22 February 2011.

Mr Jacobi acknowledged that voices opposed to TPP would be heard during next week’s negotiations.

“We welcome constructive debate on trade issues. The New Zealand Government is well aware that it has a range of interests to balance in the negotiation. We should be careful not to pre-judge the outcome. In this time of continuing economic fragility, New Zealand has a interest in securing forward looking agreements which reduce costs, open up new business and lead to new trade, investment and jobs”.

ENDS

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