TPP to Enhance Sovereignty

A successful outcome to the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations should enhance New Zealand’s economic sovereignty, according to the NZ US Council.

Speaking to a meeting of the New Zealand American Association in Wellington this evening (5 April), NZ US Council Executive Director Stephen Jacobi said that TPP like other free trade agreements “give smaller countries the protection of the rule of law.”

“We need the certainty and predictability of an FTA to prevent the United States (or any other trading partner for that matter) taking actions that could harm us economically”.

Mr Jacobi stressed that the TPP negotiations remained “a work in progress” and a successful outcome depended on the work of the negotiators.

“A successful conclusion is not a foregone conclusion. Finding ways to ensure New Zealand’s interests are met while ensuring there is something for all nine TPP parties[1] is no easy task”.

Mr Jacobi also referred to calls to release the TPP negotiating text.

“That would be premature. The TPP text does not yet exist – that is precisely what is being negotiated. This is not to say that the final text shouldn’t be released for discussion before the final agreement is ratified. In New Zealand this is part of the normal process for Parliamentary consideration of international treaties”.

In his address Mr Jacobi also highlighted the positive state of the relationship with the United States and the outcome of the fourth US NZ Partnership Forum held in Christchurch 20-22 February. A copy of his address can be found at www.nzuscouncil.com

ENDS

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