TPP and Trade
United States | New Zealand Council Welcomes Japan’s Decision to Join TPP Talks
March 15, 2013
The United States | New Zealand Council today welcomed Japan’s decision to embrace the goals of a comprehensive, high-standard, and commercially-meaningful Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.
“Japan’s participation will increase interest and support for the TPP among the U.S. and New Zealand business communities, as well as throughout the Asia-Pacific region,” said William Maroni, president of the US | NZ Council.
“After 16 rounds of talks, today’s news will invigorate the TPP and create the needed new momentum to bring the negotiation to a successful competition,” he added.
Japan is the third-largest economy in the world, and the fourth-largest trading partner of both the United States and New Zealand. The US | NZ Council, an independent, non-partisan organization committed to promoting trade and investment liberalization, is a member of the U.S. Business Coalition for TPP.
According to Maroni, the announcement by Japan comes at a critical time in the TPP process when the United States lacks a new U.S. Trade Representative, following this week’s departure of Ambassador Kirk.
“Japan’s decision is favorable news for the TPP as well as for the United States and New Zealand,” said Maroni. “With the addition of Japan as the twelfth TPP member, the agreement has the potential to dramatically expand the flow of trade, investment, ideas and people; create millions of new jobs; and foster a more secure and prosperous Asia-Pacific region. This is a game-changer,” he said.
Maroni pledged the US | NZ Council’s continued commitment to the trade talks and its support for the swift, seamless inclusion of Japan into the process.
About the United States | New Zealand Council
The US | NZ Council, which was established in 1985, is the only independent group dedicated exclusively to advancing shared business, strategic, and cultural interests between the United States and New Zealand and throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The Council promotes mutual objectives in trade, investment, economic growth, and security; provides thought leadership on important Asia-Pacific regional matters; and expands collaboration and understanding in such areas as science and technology, the environment, education, entertainment and the arts. Visit www.USNZcouncil.org
TPP Update
The US | NZ Council attended the 15th Round of TPP talks in Auckland from December 3 – 12, 2012. This was the first round to include negotiators from Mexico and Canada.
Although several major issues will require both technical and political input throughout 2013, progress was made on a variety of topics in Auckland. Most notably, there appears to have been a smooth integration of Mexico and Canada into the talks. Both new TPP members were well prepared and pledged to keep pace with the ongoing negotiations.
The tone set in Auckland reinforced the original vision of establishing a truly regional, high quality, comprehensive, 21st century trade and investment agreement.
The 11 TPP economies make up US$18.3 trillion in GDP and include four of New Zealand’s ten largest trading partners. The addition of Mexico and Canada brings an additional US$ 1 billion of New Zealand exports under TPP and grows the proportion of New Zealand trade covered by the agreement to almost 40 percent (or US$18 billion).
The 16th round of the TPP negotiations will take place at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel in Singapore from March 4 – 13, 2013. For more information, please visit: http://www.ustr.gov/tpp
The 5 below links offer additional information from the Auckland Round.
Statement by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
CLICK HERE
Statement by NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)
CLICK HERE
Statement by the US | NZ Council
CLICK HERE
Statement by the U.S. Business Coalition for TPP
CLICK HERE
Statement by business groups in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States
CLICK HERE
