22 August 2017

National unveils boldest-ever trade push

National has announced its plan to expand New Zealand’s international trade access, unlocking new markets and opportunities for our exporters.

“National’s policy is to deliver New Zealand’s boldest-ever trade push,” Trade spokesperson Todd McClay says.

“We will work to unlock markets with 2.5 billion new consumers for the benefit of large and small exporters and their workers in every region of New Zealand.

“This new trade access will create shiploads of jobs for Kiwis and be worth billions of dollars to our economy and businesses across the country.

“We have a once in a generation chance to tear down trade barriers and only National is willing to take this opportunity.

“The plan includes pushing strongly to complete TPP 11. We are prepared to move now to improve access for our food producers in key markets like Japan,” Mr McClay says.

“Our opponents want to stop and re-negotiate the whole package. That would set the cause of New Zealand trade access back many years.”

Mr McClay says a re-elected National Government will seek to launch high-quality and comprehensive free trade agreement negotiations with:

• the European Union

• the United Kingdom (following Brexit)

• Sri Lanka

• Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay & Uruguay (MERCOSUR)

It will also seek to complete negotiations with:

• The Trans Pacific Partnership 11

• Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Peru (The Pacific Alliance)

• Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) countries

And finally it will upgrade existing free trade agreements with :

• China

• Singapore

• The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

National will also push for greater access for Kiwi businesses to India, Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries of the Middle East.

“Collectively, the new trade deals will advance New Zealand’s free trade goods exports coverage from 53 per cent to 78 per cent,” Mr McClay says

“Trade is worth more than $70 billion to our economy and more than 620,000 jobs are dependent on it.

“Improving trade access is a crucial part of National’s strong economic plan which is delivering returns for all New Zealanders.

“If we are going to continue to grow our economy, and create more jobs, we have to fight for better access to overseas markets.

“National is the only party for voters serious about trade.”

http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1708/Policy_2017__Trade.pdf

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