National says the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement isn't as valuable now that the United States isn't in it.
But former Trade Minister Todd McClay believes the country will come back if the TPP 11 including this Government, plays their cards right.
"The strategy that we put in place in Government with the other TPP countries was to do the deal, hold back a lot of the things the US wanted to entice them back to the party."
McClay says he's concerned our Government's not keeping the open and positive mind and relationship it needs to ensure that.
He suggests that we should be more like Australia, whose Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is in Washington this week and will meet with Donald Trump.
READ MORE:Â Govt talking up '$4b' worth of benefits as details of TPP deal released
He says the original deal was of "high quality" and would have greatly benefited New Zealand.
Trade Minister David Parker said in the "very unlikely" event of a US return, New Zealand would not give in on major suspensions - but admitted it would not be able to veto them.
"In the end, a lot of those things are consensus-driven."
He said he was confident National would back the deal and wouldn't be relying on the Greens.
The Government hopes to get the necessary laws through parliament this year. Five other signing member nations then have to do the same for the pact to come into force.
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