US | NZ Council Supports New Zealand Prime Minister John Key’s Call for a Comprehensive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement

Washington, DC– June 19, 2014 – The United States | New Zealand Council supports New Zealand Prime Minister John Key’s call for getting the Trans- Pacific Partnership right.

Speaking before a standing-room only crowd attending a breakfast hosted by the US|NZ Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, NZ Prime Minister John Key shared his government’s views on New Zealand’s economic and trade priorities. In discussing the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations the Prime Minister made clear that it was essential to maintain a high standard for the Agreement and noted that all participating countries had signed up for an ambitious, comprehensive deal and should be held to it.

“The only game in town is TPP” said New Zealand Prime Minister John Key. “I don’t think we can trade time for the quality of the deal.”

Council Chairman Ed Farrell agreed with the Prime Minister’s remarks. “I absolutely concur with the Prime Minister’s remarks – if ambition comes down in one sector of the negotiation, then ambition will be lowered in every other sector. Thus it is crucial to maintain high standards of ambition in all parts of the negotiation.”

New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key is in Washington, D.C. for talks with President Barack Obama at the White House on a proposed Asia-Pacific trade pact, military cooperation and climate change.

UPDATE – June 19, 2014:

Myron Brilliant, Executive Vice President and Head of International Affairs for the US Chamber of Commerce stated:

“The Chamber welcomes the Prime Minister’s call for the TPP to be a high standard and comprehensive agreement. We agree that all parties must live up to this standard of ambition as part of the commitment they each made upon entry into the negotiation.”

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To view the press release click here.

To view the original press release announcing the breakfast event click here.