Responding to Sustainability Council TPP Criticism

by | Mar 3, 2014 | Uncategorized

Remove

It always good to see others enter the discussion about the merits of the Trans Pacific Partnership negotiations. In this vein we were pleased to the Sustainability Council contribute. It was however disappointing that their report contained no new data or information.

The Honolulu based East West Center study, led by Professor Peter Petri drew its conclusions from hard data and peer reviewed modeling. We acknowledge that economic models will always be debated and they should be. The Sustainability Council’s report offers little more than a detailed critique of the Petri study modelling though and no alternative modelling is offered to gauge the impact of TPP.

It is not just empirical literature that suggests there are gains from reducing non-tariff barriers and easing impediments to investment, modern businesses are also saying the same thing.

The non-tariff dimensions to trade agreements are difficult to measure but that is no reason for ignoring them. Trade policy today is mostly NOT about tariffs. The vast bulk of the modern world’s wealth is generated by trade in services, not goods.

TradeWorks challenges the Council to produce evidence to illustrate that TPP would be a negative for the New Zealand economy.

The statements in the Sustainability Council report, as they stand about the potential costs, have no empirical basis. So claims that net gains seem “doubtful” appear to based on opinion rather than analysis.

REGISTER WITH TRADE WORKS

Register to stay up to date with latest news, as well as saving and discussing articles you’re interested in.

Latest News

AMIDST THE STORM: ABAC MEETS IN AUCKLAND

Perhaps a cyclone was after all a fitting backdrop for the meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) which was held in Auckland on 12-14 February – the global environment against which the meeting took place is decidedly stormy.  In the event the wind...

A YEAR FOR RECONNECTING

As I write this end of year dispatch, NZIBF is preparing to host the first meeting for 2023 of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC).  We are looking forward to welcoming the 200 or so business leaders and senior officials from APEC member economies across the...

NZ Herald: Time to lift our game in India

Following his recent visit to India our Executive Director Stephen Jacobi penned this article advocating a more strategic approach to the further development of the relationship. The article was published by the NZ Herald on 9 December.

APEC Rolls out Priorities for 2023

Issued by the Informal Senior Officials’ Meeting - Honolulu, The United States, 13 December 2022 Aiming to provide tailwinds for member economies to strengthen recovery and resilience, as well as advance broad-based economic growth, the United States rolled out its...

NZIBF 2022 Chair Report

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2022 CHAIR’S REPORT I am pleased to present my second report on the activities and achievements of the NZ International Business Forum (NZIBF) for 2022-23, our fifteenth year of operations.  At the outset I would like to thank Members for...

NZ BUSINESS LEADERS AT APEC 2022

New Zealand business will be represented at the APEC Leaders’ Week in Bangkok, commencing 13 November, by members of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). New Zealand’s three members – Rachel Taulelei, Malcolm Johns and Anna Curzon – supported by Stephen Jacobi...

Submission to MFAT for CPTPP Review

30 September 2022 Phil Mellor Economic Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Wellington (By email) Dear Phil, Thank you for your email of 1 September, seeking our comments on the three year review of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans...