increase font size
Stephen Jacobi.
Although it is in “cold storage” for now, there is always hope for the Trans Pacific Partnership, says trade expert Stephen Jacobi.
Jacobi was commenting from APEC in Lima, Peru, on the passage of the TPP Implementation Act through the New Zealand Parliament this week. He joined other agri-business leaders in welcoming the legislation.
Jacobi told Rural News even though we are a small country New Zealand must show leadership in trade and that is why we needed to pass TPP.
“Remember we started TPP in the first place and now Japan is about to ratify,” says Jacobi, NZ International Business Forum (NZBIF) executive director.
NZIBF chair Malcolm Bailey says the legislation clearly tells the world that New Zealand is open for business and ready and capable of completing high quality, comprehensive and ambitious trade agreements.
“At a time when the future of global trade is uncertain at best, New Zealand cannot turn aside from the important effort to seek better rules for trade and investment,” Bailey says.
“New Zealand has been built on trade and open global markets benefit business, workers, their families and communities”.
NZIBF brings together leaders from some of the largest New Zealand exporters and international businesses including from the dairy, meat, wood, horticulture and seafood sectors as well as the peak business associations.
Bailey congratulated Trade Minister Todd McClay and select committee chair Mark Mitchell MP for their work in steering the TPP implementing legislation through the House.
“We have seen a great exercise in democracy as TPP has been subject to rigorous examination by stakeholders presenting to the Select Committee and by MPs in Parliament. That is how we make good treaties in New Zealand and TPP has been no exception.”
Bailey was disappointed that parties traditionally strongly supportive of New Zealand’s trade interests did not support TPP.
“We have said this before: if TPP were to proceed without New Zealand the economic consequences would be dire. Without TPP there is now a risk that our competitors especially in Japan and the United States will enjoy better market access,” he says.
“That is now something we urgently need to address and we urge all political parties to work together to restore the traditional bipartisan approach to trade policy in New Zealand.”
One of the country's leading experts on China has praised the NZ Government for its handling of the recent incident with China over that country's cyber attack on two of our parliamentary institutions in 2021.
New Zealand’s free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union comes into force on May 1, offering differing benefits for different sectors.
A large New Zealand trade delegation is in India this week - but don't expect any major trade deals.
The chances of NZ having a quality comprehensive and ambitious free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union seem to be fading.
Moves to bring all free trade deals in Asia Pacific into one ‘free trade area’ could help countries like New Zealand bounce back from Covid, according to trade expert Stephen Jacobi.
Animal rights organization, SAFE says the government needs to maintain the ban on live exports.
New findings from not-for-profit food supply and distribution organization, the New Zealand Food Network (NZFN) have revealed a 42% increase in demand for food support in 2023 compared to 2022.
New data released by LIC and DairyNZ shows New Zealand dairy farmers have achieved the highest six week in-calf rate and lowest notin- calf rate on record.
Christchurch City Council and the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association (CAPA) have signed an agreement which will open more of Canterbury Agricultural Park for public use while helping to provide long-term certainty for the A&P Show.
This year’s Fieldays will feature a Rural Advocacy Hub - bringing together various rural organisations who are advocating for farmers and championing their interests as one team, under one roof, for the first time.
ASB head of rural banking Aidan Gent is encouraging farmers to speak to their banks when they are struggling.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…
