TPP Update

The US | NZ Council attended the 15^th 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 16^th 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)

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Statement by NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)

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Statement by U S Business Coalition (by Cal Cohen of ECAT)

Statement by business groups in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States

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