TPP talks collapse in Hawaii as New Zealand and Canada clash over dairy: NZ First demands unsigned draft for scrutiny

The latest round of talks among Pacific Rim trade ministers in Hawaii for reaching a consensus before finalising the Trans Pacific Pact collapsed without making a clear headway. On dairy, New Zealand and Canada clashed and Australia and the United States could not agree on monopoly period in drugs. At the meeting, New Zealand took a strong stand that it cannot back a trade deal that does not assure it larger acces to dairy markets in the United States, Japan, Canada and Mexico.

The trade ministers had met at the Hawaiian island of Maui in July-end. However, Michael Froman, Trade Representative for the US said, "We have made significant progress during the meetings and advanced toward the conclusion."

Market Access

In a statement, Canadian Dairy Farmers president, Wally Smith, blamed New Zealand for delaying the agreement and said, “it was not accepting what was on the table and New Zealand is very obstinate.” In his response, New Zealand’s Minister Tim Groser said at a press conference: "We will not be pushed out of the agreement” and claimed other countries are trying to make some "very large compromises.”

Meanwhile, a leading political party in New Zealand has asked the government to bring home an unsigned Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement for public scrutiny. New Zealand First made this open demand in the background of the Hawaii talks of trade ministers. The party called up the John Key government to follow the lead of Malaysia in this regard. Hitting a strident note, Malaysia's International Trade Minister Mustapa Mohamed had said the signing of the TPP agreement "will not happen in Hawaii. As the minister in charge of the TPPA, it is my responsibility to ensure that our constitution, sovereignty and core policies of the nation, including the interests of the people of the Malay race community, are safeguarded and upheld.”

Emulate Malaysia

Hailing the Malaysian minister’s stand, New Zealand First’s trade spokesman Fletcher Tabuteau said New Zealand needs to emulate that. "While the Malaysian Trade Minister said the decision to sign or reject the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement would be a collective Malaysian decision, New Zealand Trade Minister Tim Groser said Kiwis with concerns were acting like breathless children."

Meanwhile, the Maori Party also expressed concern over TPP and said it is "firmly opposed" to it because of its secret negotiations. Party co-leader Marama Fox said the party did not receive any assurance from the Government that it has considered the full implication of TPP on Treaty of Waitangi or gave any assurances that the rights of hap ū , iwi and M ā ori will be protected under the TPP’s international agreement.

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