NZ and the UK formally launch free trade negotiations

New Zealand-UK free trade negotiations to begin via video conference in July, says Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker

17th Jun 20, 2:30pm by Gareth Vaughan

Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker says New Zealand and the United Kingdom have formally launched free trade negotiations which will kick-off via video conference from mid-July.

Parker says New Zealand and the United Kingdom have a close relationship featuring strong trade and economic ties, common values and traditions and a shared history. A free trade agreement, he adds, will be an important new milestone in that relationship.

“As the UK embarks on its next steps post-Brexit, New Zealand is pleased to be among the first countries to negotiate a trade agreement with one of our oldest friends,” Parker says.

“We look forward to an FTA that opens up more opportunities for small and medium sized businesses, Māori exporters, and our regional communities, consistent with our Trade for All objectives.”

The UK is NZ’s sixth largest trading partner with two-way trade last year totalling nearly $6 billion.

Parker says the outcomes sought include:

the removal of tariffs on trade between NZ and the UK;
the development of new approaches to address non-tariff barriers;
the facilitation of trade between the two countries, including through streamlined customs procedures, good regulatory practice and regulatory cooperation;
the development of new ways of thinking to foster digital trade;
breaking new ground on trade provisions in support of sustainable development, including climate change.

A series of questions and answers issued by Parker are here.

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25 Comments

by Foxglove. | 17th Jun 20, 3:39pm 1592365168

Aye and why not. Whether it is regarded as good or bad NZ has more historical connection with the UK than any other country by a country mile. That familiarity and friendship can be, and should be regarded as a strength. We operate under the same law and prevalent language and we are well versed in each other’s modus operandi. Old hat yes, but a friend in times of need is a friend indeed and the uncertainty surrounding the emergence of, and the exact motives, of trade partner such as China rather underscores that old adage. Only thing is though no way that we resume the role as a “Dominion of the Home Country.”

by youngdumbandbroke | 17th Jun 20, 3:56pm 1592366218

Well the good and bad historical connection matter immensely. They've left us high and dry before, so we need to be assertive now the shoe is on the other foot

by CJ099 | 17th Jun 20, 4:03pm 1592366608

The UK really needs good trade partners that they feel they can trust in Kiwis. And I think most of us would prefer trading more with the Brits, then risk being swallowed up by emerging superpowers who clearly have world domination on their agenda.

by youngdumbandbroke | 17th Jun 20, 4:11pm 1592367087

I'm not saying the UK is a bad option. I'm more concerned that they'll expect NZ to offer a deal that favours the UK at our expense because of our history. Many Kiwis still remember the economic damage done by the UK when they joined the EU.

by Logicthinker | 17th Jun 20, 4:21pm 1592367673

In relation to your latter comment, those days are gone. Yeah, too trading with the UK. Lets hope they become our biggest client inrelstion to goods, services and tourism. Lets also hope they also buy other products like Iron Ore from Australia so they don't have to be humiliated by our Chinese counterparts. I realise the latter is a long shot.

by CJ099 | 17th Jun 20, 5:01pm 1592370094

"Lets also hope they also buy other products like Iron Ore from Australia so they don't have to be humiliated by our Chinese counterparts". Whoos too late British steel making got swallowed up by guess who?! BBC British Steel: Takeover by Chinese firm completed. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-51795414

by Foxglove. | 17th Jun 20, 5:10pm 1592370631

Well if things really get down and dirty the Tories could resort to that nasty Labour word “Nationalise!” That would put a rat amongst the chickens. To date no apology, no responsibility, no nothing out of China concerning crippling the economies and people’s livelihoods worldwide. Nobody would owe them an apology themselves then!

by bw | 17th Jun 20, 3:53pm 1592365998

"A NZ-UK trade deal will be a priority for post-Brexit UK. As it looks for new partners, a faraway friend it spurned in the past could perhaps help it embrace the challenges ahead. Today Australia buys more Kiwi exports than anyone else, while the UK now accounts for just 3%. "
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-44210833

by youngdumbandbroke | 17th Jun 20, 3:58pm 1592366307

We need to be ruthless and put NZ first and foremost. We cannot let the UK lean on us for favourable trade conditions

by murray86 | 18th Jun 20, 7:31am 1592422261

Yes and no. Noting the other comments in this stream, we need to learn from the TPPA (or whatever alphabet soup they call it now) as a lesson on how not to do it. We need to enter these negotiations from the view that we are EQUAL, not dependent. Done well a lot can be achieved and more doors opened. Indeed some of the UKs deals may actually allow us to try different routes for products that provide a better deal.

by Jolly Penguin | 18th Jun 20, 9:26am 1592429194

Yeah ultimately we need somewhere to sell our produce and somewhere to source more tech. But no market is 'free' - I expect protectionism from both sides, perhaps not by tariffs. Like others here, I'm wary of Britain's paternalism - who wants a friend who still sings 'Rule Britainia' at gatherings? But that's statecraft - it's rare to find a perfect friend at the best of times..

by JasBurnt | 18th Jun 20, 9:32am 1592429549

What Products? The Brits only sell Services

by murray86 | 18th Jun 20, 12:43pm 1592441033

Yes those negotiations always need to maintain the view that a change in political winds can turn the relationship against us very quickly. The whole point is protectionism while maintaining trade. Each need to respect the others need to preserve jobs while developing trade. Expectations should not be too unreasonable from this perspective. But we must resist being bullied, as the US is wont to do.

by Glitzy | 17th Jun 20, 5:22pm 1592371349

Long overdue. We need more trade with democratic liberal countries and less with aggressive dictatorships, and yes, I mean China.

by JasBurnt | 17th Jun 20, 6:17pm 1592374675

Give it a few years and they will be stoking racial tensions, selling arms and manipulating your politics

Then they will say you can’t manage your own affairs and they need to take over to stop the tribes slaughtering each other

All the while they will be going heavy with royal titles for the Kiwi stooges and loads of pomp and ceremony with Charlie & his side bit

by Foxglove. | 17th Jun 20, 7:08pm 1592377712

Some will agree and some will disagree with that but damn sure that all NZrs will agree they do not want a bar of Chinese Royal Titles.

by The_4th_estate | 17th Jun 20, 6:50pm 1592376629

Does this trade deal come with a bucket of vasoline? It will end in the UK reaming us without mercy just like they did when they joined the EU. Besides, the UK is utterly contaminated with economic liberals who want to monetise everything, who needs those scumbags.... I have an acronym specifically shaped in response to the proposition of a trade deal with the UK....
FOUK
or
GFYSUK
Have a great night!

by ddporter | 17th Jun 20, 9:42pm 1592386929

At least the UK is talking to NZ at the top of the list, they don't have to, your above comment is completely the wrong attitude, NZ must move on from 45 years in the past, look to the future. We need every Free Trade pact that we can get to help our economy in this present crisis,

It would be a great achievement, if the UK joined the CPTPP, it would shock Trump, however I cannot see this happening until the UK has completely finished its negotiations with EU, but could happen in the future

by youngdumbandbroke | 17th Jun 20, 9:42pm 1592386929

They'd export plenty more bureaucracy here that's for sure...

by youngdumbandbroke | 18th Jun 20, 8:23am 1592425429

by Hans Brink | 18th Jun 20, 12:21pm 1592439681

I have farming friends in UK and they are very anti NZ farm imports. Besides dairy, meat & wine what else do we have to offer? Isnt it these same products that the EU dont really want to much of as well?

by youngdumbandbroke | 18th Jun 20, 1:19pm 1592443142

Ofcourse theyre anti NZ farmers. They aren't competitive. Its not necessarily that certain EU countries don't want our produce, its the fact that the bureaucrats in Brussels call all the shots.

by ddporter | 18th Jun 20, 1:29pm 1592443771

Brussels do NOT call the shots anymore, the UK has finally left the EU on PAPER, hopefully the UK will be finished with the EU on Jan 31 2021, when negotiations are over. Three wasted years of remainers and the EU stalling for time, hopefully it will be over.

The UK will be free to negotiate properly with NZ, Australia, USA etc without those remainers and the EU causing problems.

by youngdumbandbroke | 18th Jun 20, 1:35pm 1592444141

True the UK has left but all other potential European markets are still held to ransom by Brussels...

by ddporter | 19th Jun 20, 12:09pm 1592525343

I agree, I very much doubt NZ will get any decent FTA from the EU now, if ever. Its a great pity NZ did not get a FTA with the Russian federation,a lost opportunity. This business in the Ukraine will not change, the Crimea is to important to Russia to let go and the Soviet Union spent millions on it, particularly the navel base. The EU are dreaming if they think Russia will. Its like China giving up Hong Kong or Taiwan, NEVER.