Japan business lobby calls for NZ’s efforts to strike TPP deal
Kyodo News International | March 3, 2014
Japan business lobby calls for NZ’s efforts to strike TPP deal
The head of Japan’s most influential business lobby on Monday called on New Zealand to play an active role toward concluding talks for a Pacific free trade pact, as the 12 negotiating members struggle to overcome their differences.
Japan Business Federation Chairman Hiromasa Yonekura was in New Zealand on Monday and met with the country’s Prime Minister John Key, who said that striking a Trans-Pacific Partnership deal is important for Tokyo-Wellington economic collaboration, according to the federation known as Keidanren.
The Pacific Rim countries involved in the TPP talks, which also include the United States, Australia and Malaysia, failed to reach a deal at the last ministerial gathering held in Singapore in February, after they remained apart over such issues as tariff removals and intellectual property rights.
Yonekura is also slated to meet with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Thursday.
