NEW ZEALAND UNITED STATES COUNCIL
(www.nzuscouncil.com)

Media Release, 2 July 2007

NZ MPs To Visit Congressional Counterparts In Washington

The New Zealand United States Council is sponsoring a visit to Washington DC by Gerry Brownlee and Shane Jones, respectively Chair and Deputy Chair of the New Zealand United States Parliamentary Friendship Group.

“This visit comes at a time when the relationship with the US is, in the words of US Ambassador, “the strongest it has been in decades”. But there is more to do to ensure the relationship realises its full potential. Building and maintaining strong links with the US Congress is critical to New Zealand’s interests, including for any future negotiation of a free trade agreement”, said the Council’s Executive Director, Stephen Jacobi.

In Washington DC 9-11 July Gerry Brownlee and Shane Jones will meet their counterparts from the Friends of New Zealand Congressional Caucus, Ellen Tauscher (D – California) and Kevin Brady (R – Texas) as well as several Caucus members. They are expected to be received at senior level in the State Department as well as meet with the US NZ Council and a range of business and trade contacts. On 12 July they will travel to Los Angeles to meet with the New Zealand business community before returning home.

The MPs’ visit comes just after the scheduled expiry of the Trade Promotion Authority by which the President is authorised by Congress to negotiate free trade agreements.

“The expiry of TPA makes it significantly more complicated for the US to enter into an FTA negotiation with New Zealand. This visit provides an opportunity to discuss directly with Congressional leaders the likely future direction of US trade policy at a time when the WTO negotiations are also under significant threat.”

Mr Jacobi will also join the MPs in Washington. His visit is made possible with the support of United Airlines.

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