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Trade Minister Todd McClay leaves for South America this weekend to attend the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) on 17-18 May in Peru and then to visit Bogota, Colombia, on 19 May. 

APEC Trade Ministers will be focusing on Peru’s themes of ‘Quality of Growth and Human Development’ with a particular focus on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), trade in services, and advancing the collective vision of the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP).  

Trade Minister Todd McClay has welcomed the first reading of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement Amendment Bill in Parliament today.

It will now be considered by the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee. 

“Successive New Zealand governments have pursued free trade agreements to support New Zealand’s global connectedness, maximise opportunities for exporters, and in turn  grow the prosperity of the economy for the benefit of all New Zealanders. TPP is the latest in this legacy,” says Mr McClay

Trade Minister Todd McClay says the Waitangi Tribunal's finding that the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) does not breach the Treaty of Waitangi, along with today’s MYOB survey on TPP demonstrates growing support for free trade agreements in New Zealand.

“Grant Robertson and Andrew Little need to tell Phil Goff, David Shearer, and their regional MPs why Labour has turned its back on the seafood, wine, kiwifruit, horticulture, forestry, meat, dairy, manufacturing, export education, ICT, and tourism industries,” says Mr McClay.

Minister of Trade Todd McClay has welcomed the introduction of Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement Amendment Bill to Parliament as an omnibus Bill.

“TPP is important for New Zealand because it will remove barriers to trade for exporters of New Zealand goods and services in the Asia-Pacific region,” says Mr McClay. 

“Although most of the obligations in TPP can be met by New Zealand’s existing domestic legal and policy regime, some changes are required.

Trade Minister Todd McClay is disappointed, but not surprised, that Labour has now confirmed that they will vote against the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement legislation. 
 
“This flies in the face of Labour’s long history of welcoming free trade agreements, something fiercely backed by former trade minister Phil Goff, and former Leader Helen Clark, who said it was ‘unthinkable’ that New Zealand would not sign up to TPP,” says Mr McClay. 
 

Trade Minister Todd McClay has welcomed the Waitangi Tribunal’s Report on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement which found no breach of the Treaty of Waitangi.

“New Zealand’s approach to its free trade agreements reflects the constitutional significance of the Treaty of Waitangi to New Zealand. TPP specifically recognises the Treaty of Waitangi, so that nothing in the TPP will prevent the Crown from meeting its obligations to Maori” says Mr McClay.

Trade Minister Todd McClay travels to Fiji tomorrow to continue discussions with Fijian counterparts on PACER Plus - a regional trade and economic integration agreement involving all members of the Pacific Islands Forum - and deepen links with the Fijian private sector.

“As we move into the final stages of PACER Plus negotiations, we are working hard to conclude an agreement that benefits all Pacific Islands countries and New Zealand, through promoting economic integration and sustainable economic development,” says Mr McClay.

Trade Minister Todd McClay confirmed today New Zealand will host the 13th round of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade negotiation in Auckland from 12-18 June 2016.

“RCEP aims to broaden and deepen existing Free Trade Agreements between ASEAN and six other countries, including New Zealand,” says Mr McClay. 

“It is important for New Zealand to play its part in these negotiations which offer us significant opportunities to increase our trade and economic links with the dynamic Asia region.”

It’s a pleasure to be here today to talk to you about trade.  I do so at an interesting time, for the prevailing consensus in New Zealand on trade is subject to more debate than it has been for many years.

There’s some irony in this.  We have just completed one of the most comprehensive and valuable trade deals ever for New Zealand, with benefits in growth, exports, and jobs beyond what we’ve seen before.

New Zealand’s 1.5 billion-dollar wine industry will gain duty-free access into seven new countries under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Trade Minister Todd McClay, on a visit to Marlborough to discuss TPP, told exporters that the region’s 140 wineries would be significant winners under the agreement.

The Environment chapter of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement offers real benefits for both New Zealand’s environment and trade, Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith and Trade Minister Todd McClay said today.

The benefits to New Zealand’s fishing and seafood industry will be very significant once all tariffs are eliminated under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Trade Minister Todd McClay told a Nelson Chamber of Commerce audience that the region, the home of Australasia’s largest fishing port, that he believes the agreement will enable the industry to double its exports to one billion dollars.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement eliminates all tariffs on beef into our biggest market, the United States, within five years of coming into force.

Trade Minister Todd McClay, speaking at the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce this morning, says New Zealand exported meat products worth over $2.8 billion to TPP countries in 2015 and the gains once TPP comes into force will be significant.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement outcomes for labour matters are the most comprehensive New Zealand has ever achieved in a free trade agreement (FTA).

The agreement will strengthen labour standards and conditions of work, and address issues such as child and forced labour.

Trade Minister Todd McClay addressed almost 300 people at today’s Wellington TPP road show and says all 12 TPP countries are bound by the declarations that protect rights around;

Trade Minister Todd McClay says the government is looking closely at non-tariff barriers (NTBs) as part of its strategy to boost exports and grow the economy. 

Addressing the Southland Chamber of Commerce in Invercargill where he is on a regional visit discussing TPP, he said he had taken note of comments by the Wood Products Council on exporters’ difficulties around NTBs.

“These are often not directly visible and can be hard to quantify.  But we take the issue seriously and are investing considerable resources to address these barriers.

Trade Minister Todd McClay told participants at the first Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) hui in Christchurch today that Māori have much to gain from the agreement.

“There are enormous opportunities for Māori exporters.

“The Māori asset base is now over NZ$40 billion. Māori businesses are big exporters and have significant ownership in key sectors such as forestry, fishing, red meat, and dairy. 

The first roadshow on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) was held in Auckland today to an audience of around 300 people. 

Trade Minister Todd McClay says this is the first of 16 roadshows and hui throughout New Zealand.

“TPP has been the most widely-consulted Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in New Zealand’s history, and this conversation will continue throughout 2016.

“While we believe this FTA is of undeniable and significant benefit to New Zealanders, we want to give every Kiwi who has interests an opportunity to ask questions. 

Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand’s services sector will reap the benefits under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Mr McClay, speaking at the Institute of Directors in Auckland, said New Zealand exports $8 billion of services to TPP countries.

“The agreement will help us build on that and create new investment opportunities between all 12 TPP countries,” says Mr McClay.

Trade Minister Todd McClay has welcomed the support of the European Parliament to commence negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with New Zealand.

“It is heartening that the resolution won the support of 479 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), 77 per cent of the 619 who voted,” says Mr McClay.

“The European Union (EU) is the notable missing link in our network of FTAs with our major trading partners and it is a big missing link, with total GDP of more than NZ$20 trillion.

The Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) was signed in Auckland on 4 February 2016.

Trade Minister Todd McClay says forestry and tourism are just two of the big winners once the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) comes into force.

Speaking at the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce today, Mr McClay said regional New Zealand will reap the benefits of TPP with economic growth and jobs.

“New Zealand exported $1.5 billion in forestry products to TPP countries in 2015, 32 per cent of total forestry product exports. 

“Despite claims to the contrary, consumers will not pay more for subsidised medicines as a result of TPP,” says Trade Minister Todd McClay.

“TPP will not change the PHARMAC model. 

“PHARMAC will continue to do what it does best, prioritising its spending and negotiating the best price for medicines with suppliers.”

“An EU-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement would mutually benefit economic growth and productivity and support New Zealand businesses – particularly SMES”, says Trade Minister Todd McClay following meetings with European Union counterparts. 

Trade Minister Todd McClay announced today the Government will be running nation-wide roadshows on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

“The roadshows are for interested members of the public to learn more about this important trade agreement, and to assist businesses identify and plan for new export opportunities when TPP comes into force,” says Mr McClay.