New Zealand Not On The US Trade Agenda

Act Leader Richard Prebble tabled in parliament the 2003 Trade Policy Agenda as presented by Robert B Zoellick, United States Trade Representative, to Congress on 1 March this year.

"Although some 26 countries are mentioned by name as having some form of direct trade negotiations, New Zealand is not mentioned," Mr Prebble said.

"Mr Zoellick, in his report, has a whole section on `Aligning Trade with America's Values'.

"He also reports to Congress that he has launched free trade negotiations with a number of new countries, and mentions in particular Australia, which he describes as `a key US ally'.

"Our Prime Minister's claim in her statement to parliament on Tuesday 11 February, that the government has `stepped up our promotion of free trade negotiations with the United States, following the positive reference to New Zealand in the US Trade Representative's letter to Congress on his intention to negotiate with Australia' is shown to be absolute rubbish.

"New Zealand is not even on the agenda," said Mr Prebble

A copy of the report is at http://www.ustr.gov/reports/2003.html

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