New Zealand-US Council
Media release – 2 August 2002

Council Calls For Bipartisan Support For Nz/Us Deal

Support from political parties can enhance the prospects of New Zealand securing a free trade deal.

“Now that President Bush has Trade Promotion Authority our attention must turn urgently to preparing the way for a free trade negotiation with New Zealand”, New Zealand-US Council Chairman and Fonterra CEO Craig Norgate said today.

“When I was in Washington earlier this week it became very apparent to me that our cause would not be advanced without strong political backing in New Zealand. I call on political parties who are pro-growth and recognise the importance of a closer economic partnership with the US to declare their support for this key national objective.”

Mr Norgate said it would be ironic if the bipartisan support for trade now apparent in the US was not replicated in New Zealand. “New Zealand has an enormous amount to gain from expanded and more secure trade with the US. We cannot afford trade to become a political football. We must use all our resources and energy to get behind the Washington campaign”.

Mr Norgate urged companies wanting to join the Washington campaign to contact the New Zealand-US Council. “This deal will not come to us. We will have to go out and get it. We have work to do in Washington”, concluded Mr Norgate.

ENDS

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