30 July 2012

NZUS Council sponsors MPs’ visit to Washington

The NZ US Council has sponsored a successful visit to Washington DC by Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga MP and Hon Shane Jones, Co-Chairs of the New Zealand United States Parliamentary Friendship Group.

“This visit was particularly timely given the stage of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. The MPs were able to not only raise New Zealand’s profile and aspirations for TPP but also gain valuable insights about US negotiating interests”, said NZ US Council’s Executive Director Stephen Jacobi.

In a full programme over a four-day visit the MPs met with members of the Friends of New Zealand Congressional Caucus and a range of Congressional representatives and had meetings with senior officials in the State Department, Treasury and United States Trade Representative’s office. The MPs were also guests of honour at a well-attended lunch hosted by the US NZ Council. Other guests included Congressional staff, senior US company executives and Council members and supporters.

Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga said he was pleased to hear first hand that the US genuinely shares New Zealand’s aspiration for a high quality, 21st century agreement.

“There is no doubt there are tremendous gains to be had if all negotiating parties hold true to the need to genuinely lower barriers to trade,” said Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, MP for Maungakiekie.

Hon Shane Jones, Labour List MP, noting this was his third visit to Washington with the Parliamentary Friendship Group, said it was useful to cement relationships with US congressional colleagues.

“I am very optimistic both for the NZ/US relationship and for TPP. From our discussions in Washington it is clear that there is support on both sides of the political divide for TPP,” said Hon Shane Jones.

The NZ US Council met the costs of the MPs’ domestic travel in the United States and related on-the-ground costs. Arrangements in Washington were made by the New Zealand Embassy.

About the NZUS Council – www.nzuscouncil.com
The NZ US Council is a non-partisan body funded by both business and the Government to promote New Zealand’s broader relationship with the US. Two-way trade with the US is valued at over $8 billion and the US is a leading source of investment, innovation and business ideas. The NZ US Council is actively engaged in co-ordinating business and government efforts towards concluding a comprehensive, high quality result to the TPP negotiations.

ENDS

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