Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
UK Trade Secretary holds trade talks in Beehive
UK Trade Secretary Liz Truss holds talks in Beehive over trade agreement
Negotiating a free trade agreement with New Zealand will be a top priority for the UK once it leaves the European Union.
Photo: RNZ / DOM THOMAS
Britain's International Trade Secretary Liz Truss held talks with Trade Minister David Parker in the Beehive today [September 16], to begin laying the ground work for post-Brexit negotiations.
Ms Truss is also meeting with senior government figures and business leaders in Australia and Japan this week.
She said that as the United Kingdom prepared to leave the EU on 31 October, it was looking forward to "taking back control of our trade policy and negotiating new free trade agreements".
"The UK is going to have its first independent trade policy for the first time in 45 years and its a massive honour for me to be leading on that agenda and of course New Zealand is a very close partner.
"Striking a free trade deal with New Zealand is a very important priority for the UK, it's one of the first free trade deals we expect to strike.
"We are going to put the resources we need to into that... What I'm doing here today is working with Mr Parker on what the timetable will look like and what the key areas we're going to be looking at in the negotiations are", Ms Truss said.
Photo: RNZ / DOM THOMAS
Mr Parker said he anticipated being able to make quick progress towards a new trade relationship "if and when the United Kingdom exits the European Union".
"We're discussing those issues today, what are the mechanics of that and discussing also how we resolve some of the difficult issues like tariff rate quotas, how we ensure New Zealand is no worse off after these negotiations than we are in the current position", Mr Parker said.
Ms Truss reiterated that the UK would be leaving the EU on 31 October "with or without a deal".
On the issue of quotas she said the UK believed the tariff rate quotas it set out were fair.
"But I think the free trade agreement that we are poised to commence negotiating will see a better deal for both the UK and New Zealand", Ms Truss said.
RNZ
New Zealand's public broadcaster, providing comprehensive NZ news and current affairs, specialist audio features and documentaries.
Radio New Zealand is a Crown entity established under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. Radio New Zealand News are vital elements in our programming, providing impartial news and information to New Zealanders every day. Radio New Zealand (RNZ) provides listeners with exciting and independent radio programmes in accordance with the Radio New Zealand Charter.
Peter Dunne: Luxon Gets Out His Butcher's Knife - Briefly
Binoy Kampmark: Warring Against Encryption, Australia Is Coming For Your Communications
Gordon Campbell: On Fast Track Powers, Media Woes And The Tiktok Ban
Binoy Kampmark: Censorship Wars, Elon Musk, Safety Commissioners And Violent Content
Gordon Campbell: On The Public Sector Carnage, And Misogyny As Terrorism
Ramzy Baroud: NATO’s Never-ending War: The 75-Year-Old Bully Is Faltering