Case for NZ-US free trade deal to be nudged along
Radio New Zealand | 5 October 2009
Case for NZ-US free trade deal to be nudged along
The case for a free trade agreement with the United States will get another nudge this week.
More than 100 leaders from both countries will take part in discussion hosted by the United States-New Zealand Partnership Forum on strengthening the economic relationship.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully and Trade Negotiations Minister Tim Groser will head New Zealand’s political delegation, with leaders from Telecom, Fonterra, Air New Zealand and The Warehouse also attending.
NZ-US Council executive director Stephen Jacobi says he does not expect the forum to result in an announcement about a free trade agreement with the US.
But Mr Jacobi says he is hopeful it will demonstrate to the United States, why it should continue its previous government’s move to enter free trade talks.
Mr Jacobi says New Zealand’s relationship with the US has been progressing well in recent years.
But he says trade between the nations is increasing at a slower rate than with the rest of the world.
Mr Jacobi says there are a number of reasons including the exchange rate and New Zealand businesses increasingly looking towards other markets, particularly in Asia.
Although trade has been declining, he says investment in both directions has been increasing with a sharp jump in New Zealand investment in the US.
