Frederick S. Benson III, President

Danella Sutton-Field, Executive Officer

Telephone: (202) 842-0772

Facsimile (202) 842-0749

fred.benson@usnzcouncil.org

February 25, 2003

Honorable Robert Zoellick

United States Trade Representative

600 17th Street

Washington, DC 20508-4801

Dear Mr. Ambassador,

The members of the United States – New Zealand Council deeply appreciate the reference to New Zealand in your letter announcing the initiation of FTA negotiations with Australia.

The US-New Zealand Council is comprised of US Corporate members with an interest in strengthening trade ties between our two countries. These are corporations with existing business presence in New Zealand and, in many cases, Australia, and we have previously registered our unhesitating support for moving ahead with a US-Australia FTA. Further, we would encourage you to make the conclusion of such an agreement a top priority.

We are, however, concerned that proceeding down the road towards an FTA with Australia without including New Zealand could distort investment streams and negatively impact the current Australia-New Zealand economic partnership. I have talked to several corporate executives with a strong presence or interest in New Zealand who are very concerned about creating that anomaly.

With that in mind, we urge the United States Government to move expeditiously on initiating FTA discussions with New Zealand. Doing so will ensure that no harm is done to either of the CER partners, and that trade opportunities will be maximized among all three nations.

Further, New Zealand’s participation in action in Afghanistan, and its recent deployment of Navy and Air Force assets in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman on maritime interdiction missions, serve only to strengthen what we see as a very exemplary relationship – one that deserves special consideration as the US moves forward with its trade agenda over the next few months.

The sentiments expressed above represent not only those of our members, but of the 259 business organizations listed on the enclosure. Your letter announcing the US Australia FTA encouraged interested parties to express their views. We believe that we have done so, and we stand ready to assist in ensuring that a US-New Zealand FTA enjoys widespread support on Capitol Hill.  

Very respectfully,

Frederick S. Benson III

President

United States – New Zealand Council

 

 

 

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