Fears Remain Over Secrecy of TPPA Deal

New Zealand First remains concerned over the secrecy around the TPPA and the fact we will be locked into a treaty we had few details about.

The National government has refused to be open and has been cheerleading the TPPA fast-tracking process to get it quickly passed by the US Congress once signed, says Spokesperson on Trade Fletcher Tabuteau.

“Despite a US setback on the TPPA package National is still talking it up. It appears Trade Minister Tim Groser and Prime Minister John Key want to claim a ‘trade’ deal victory, but this is so much more than a trade deal.

“It allows foreign corporations to sue New Zealand, while National says it will boost trade and the economy. New Zealand First is in favour of trade, but National has yet to show which markets will be opening up to our producers.

“The PM claims the cost of medicines will not rise and Pharmac’s buying power will not be reduced. He’s taking a risk on promises because he knows he’s unlikely to be PM when everyone discovers this part of the agreement is a bad one,” says Mr Tabuteau.

“The solution is for the government to let New Zealanders examine what they are signing us up to, after all, the big foreign corporations have been given access to the detail. Some critics suggest the big corporates wrote some of the detail.

“So far it’s been one rule for them and one rule for us. That’s unfair. New Zealand First says put New Zealand and New Zealanders first.”

ENDS

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