The leaders of some of New Zealand’s largest exporters and leading business organisations strongly support the concept of freer trade with the United States, says Graeme Harrison, Chairman of the NZ International Business Forum.

Mr Harrison was reacting to the announcement that the United States would join negotiations on investment and financial services with members of the Trans Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership or “P4” (New Zealand, Singapore, Chile and Brunei).  The United States Trade Representative is also undertaking consultations about joining the P4 Partnership.

“International trade and investment enable New Zealanders to enjoy the lifestyles they have become accustomed to.  Freer trade with the United States is good for NZ’s international business because it would link New Zealand with the world’s largest consumer market, leading source of investment and technology.”

Mr Harrison said the International Business Forum brought together business leaders from the dairy, meat, seafood, kiwifruit, software and services industries as well as business organisations representing New Zealand’s export, manufacturing and services sectors.

“New Zealand cannot afford to be left behind in any of our key markets.  We need to find ways to breathe new life into global trade talks and develop the strongest possible trading relationships with all of our key partners, especially Australia, the United States, Japan, China, Korea and the European Union.  The International Business Forum will follow these P4 negotiations very closely”.