Merkel backs speedy NZ-EU trade deal
Prime Minister Bill English wants to begin talks on a free trade deal with the European Union as soon as possible, while he’s also keen to keep the Trans-pacific Partnership deal alive, with or without the United States’ involvement.
A speedy deal with the EU also has the backing of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, with whom English met in Berlin yesterday.
Merkel said at a joint news conference with English that she would press the 28-nation EU to work toward a quick trade accord with New Zealand.
Responding to the suggestion New Zealand would have to be willing to take more refugees, in exchange for the deal, Merkel said there were no such plans to link the two.
Meanwhile, English said US President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to pull out of the TPP wouldn’t kill talks over the deal, and the Government was still interested in pursuing a trade agreement with other negotiating countries: Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Brunei, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Chile and Peru.
‘‘If there is a change in the American policy and they decide not to sign up to it, then we’d look for other ways of continuing that engagement,’’ English said.
Trump said he plans to ditch the deal because he believes freetrade deals are damaging to US jobs.
However, he’s indicated his enthusiasm for a new deal with the United Kingdom.
Last week, English met with British Prime Minister Theresa May to continue early talks over a new trade deal for New Zealand and the UK.
The deal can’t be signed until after the Brexit is complete, but both countries are keen to begin negotiations.
‘‘We would negotiate an agreement with Britain when it’s not in the EU and it’s ready to negotiate,’’ English said at his press conference with Merkel.
‘‘We wouldn’t see a role to get ahead of that process,’’ English said.
– Fairfax NZ, Reuters