Zespri applauds NZ decision to move ahead with TPP
Kiwifruit exporter Zespri has long supported the trade deal. Spokesperson Oliver Broad said it was encouraged by efforts to keep the agreement in play.
"The elimination of tariffs on kiwifruit imports into Japan would give us considerable gains. For instance, last season New Zealand growers paid about $25 million in tariffs just in the Japan market."
But a long-time critic of the deal, Jane Kelsey, warned the exporters not to celebrate just yet. The Auckland University professor said, despite the government's "political spin", the 11 countries were far from unified.
"It's very clear that only New Zealand and Japan are wanting to keep the text as is. That means unravelling parts of it - and that means, as Bill English has conceded, that the deal will likely never see the light of day."
In his post-Cabinet news conference, Mr English said New Zealand stood to save more than $200m every year in tariffs if the deal went ahead.
source: radionz.co.nz
