TPP negotiations – Santiago, Chile

Right now the fifth round of TPP negotiations is being held in Chile finishing on Friday 18 February.   These talks are very important for New Zealand and equally important is that New Zealanders are able to see what is going on at the talks through the release of information.  President Obama has said the agreement ‘must be enforceable, and of the highest standard, in the interests of our workers, farmers and businesses.’  I'm sure New Zealand workers, farmers and businesses as well as those of the other countries in the talks agree with that.

There is some information about the Santiago Round at: http://tppwatch.org/  from Professor Jane Kelsey who is a stakeholder at the talks.   The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website has no information at this point but there is a little on the Australian Foreign Affairs site at: http://www.dfat.gov.au/fta/tpp/index.html  including the submissions that have been made to the Australian Government.

This Free Trade Agreement has great potential for both good and for harm and New Zealand exporting companies of both goods and services need to be aware of these continuing negotiations.  It is difficult to comment of course when there is no draft text upon which to comment!

Apples and NZ Being Sued by US Multi-nationals ?

The International Economic Law and Policy Blog picks up many of the big trade issues that are being discussed in world fora.   If you are interested you can subscribe to email notification when new posts are available.  The Blog's URL is:  http://worldtradelaw.typepad.com/ielpblog/


Two of the recent issues that interested me were notification that Australia has until August 117th of this year to get organised to issue import permits for New Zealand apples.  Here is the URL for that post:

http://worldtradelaw.typepad.com/ielpblog/2011/02/implementing-australia-apples.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+ielpblog+(International+Economic+Law+and+Policy+Blog)


The other is the  investor-state dispute clause which allows multinational companies to sue governments if they lose profits as a result of new regulation - these are a feature of US trade deals.   According to this post New Zealand could get itself involved in these through accepting this clause in the TPP talks.  See the post for comments by John Key and Russel Norman:

http://worldtradelaw.typepad.com/ielpblog/2011/02/update-on-new-zealand-and-investor-state.html?utm_source

TPP Talks in Auckland 6-10 December 2010

You may have been wondering where to get further resources on the TPP talks which are currently being held in Auckland.  The newspapers and news websites do have reports -  by googling:  tpp talks Auckland you will retrieve some information.

A website sponsored by a grant from the School of Law at the University of Auckland which has more comprehensive information is the Trans-Pacific Partnership Digest at:

http://p4tpp.dyndns.org/

As the name suggests it brings together information about the TPP – it tends to give space to those who oppose the TPP but as the talks are not open to the public, there is no information which can be given at the moment.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade does have daily media briefings at this page:

http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Trade-and-Economic-Relations/Trade-Relationships-and-Agreements/Trans-Pacific/index.php#tppround4

Unhealthy dependence on dairy exports???

From the International Economic Law and Policy Blog 15 November 2010:

Exports and Domestic Demand

Posted by Simon Lester
President Obama:
"countries with large surpluses must shift away from an unhealthy dependence on exports and take steps to boost domestic demand".
Is domestic demand too low in China and other countries with trade surpluses?  Or is domestic demand too high in the U.S. and other countries with trade deficits?  How do we determine the appropriate level of domestic demand?

This blog is managed by WorldTradeLaw.net.  You can find it at: http://worldtradelaw.typepad.com/ielpblog/
The 15 November posts also include one on the TPP which is a matter of debate for New Zealand.