NZ US Council “Not Deterred” By Delay To TPP Talks

Media release 4 March 2009

NZ US Council “Not Deterred” By Delay To TPP Talks

The NZ US Council is not deterred by a delay in commencing negotiations towards an expanded Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement.

“This is an administrative delay, not a decision to postpone the negotiations indefinitely” said NZ US Council Executive Director Stephen Jacobi.

“Key senior personnel appointments in Washington are still being completed. We are confident that following the confirmation this week of US Trade Representative Ron Kirk these negotiations will proceed on track. A short delay at this point will not affect the outcome”.

A first round of preparatory discussions for an expanded TPP was scheduled to take place in Singapore on 30 March. The four existing TPP partners (Brunei, Chile, Singapore and New Zealand) are due to be joined by the United States, Australia and Peru along with Viet Nam as an observer.

Mr Jacobi said TPP was supported by a number of leading business organisations in the United States including the US Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Coalition for Service Industries and the National Foreign Trade Council among others.

“We are working closely with our counterpart organisation in Washington, the US NZ Council, and other business allies as well as the Friends of New Zealand Congressional Caucus to ensure that the TPP negotiations are commenced promptly and concluded successfully”.

ENDS

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