TradeNewsLink - MSC NewsWire

APEC, Business Pursue Bold Trade Actions for Changing Times

Apr 23 - Faced with increasing protectionism and digital disruption in global trade, officials from APEC member economies and the Asia-Pacific business community are preparing bold actions to equip the world's growth engine for change. Next steps for securing and strengthening trade flows in APEC were …

Commonwealth FTA ‘too ambitious,’ exporters say

Apr 23 - Talks of a free trade agreement (FTA) between Commonwealth countries is a waste of politicians' breath, the export industry says. ExportNZ executive director Catherine Beard said a multilateral trade deal between 53 countries was "too ambitious" with "a lot on the dance card" already. Trying to get that …

Winston Peters needs to end fixation with Russian trade deal, National says

Apr 23 - Foreign Minister Winston Peters' suggestion that a trade deal could eventually be made with North Korea is "insane", deputy National leader Paula Bennett says. Bennett was also critical of Peters for still holding on to a potential free trade deal with Russia, saying it would upset the EU and other …

Morocco's charm offensive to protect phosphate sale to NZ

Apr 23 - The Moroccan authorities have mounted a charm offensive in New Zealand to protect their vital phosphate trade with this country. Morocco produces about 75 percent of the world's phosphate, much of it mined in the Western Sahara.Opponents of the trade have long argued that Morocco runs an illegal military occupation of phosphate-rich Western Sahara. And, as a result, New Zealand should not be buying products from there.

Winston Peters upbeat about FTA with Commonwealth countries

Apr 23 - Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters is talking up the prospect of a Free Trade Agreement between all 53 commonwealth nations after discussions in London over the weekend. Winston Peters was in London with the Prime Minister for the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) meeting, …

North Korea trade deal highly unlikely – expert

Apr 22 - A free trade deal with North Korea is unlikely anytime soon despite the Foreign Minister's optimism, according to one expert. Winston Peters has hinted that North Korea's softening nuclear stance makes future trade talks look promising. "We hope in the long-term we've got a free trade deal with North …

New Zealand-Russia Free Trade remains a possibility

Apr 21 - Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters is sticking to his desire for a free trade deal with Russia at some point in the future, saying that even North Korea could be one day be an option. Mr Peters made the comments in London at the end of the Commonwealth Heads of government meeting.

Is the British Commonwealth still even relevant to New Zealand?

Apr 20 - But in light of Brexit, the UK is taking an increased interest in the Commonwealth's functions, and that could prove fruitful as New Zealand prepares to negotiate a free trade deal with that country. As a small country, New Zealand relies heavily on the rules-based system keeping the world in check.