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Trade ministers' TPPA meeting called off

Author
Laura Heathcote,
Publish Date
Thu, 21 May 2015, 11:37AM
Photo: James Robins
Photo: James Robins

Trade ministers' TPPA meeting called off

Author
Laura Heathcote,
Publish Date
Thu, 21 May 2015, 11:37AM

Another roadblock for negotiators hoping to settle the Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal.

A planned meeting of 12 trade ministers which was scheduled for next week has been put off.

A spokesman for Trade Minister Tim Groser has confirmed there's no consensus to hold the meeting.

He says New Zealand will carry on with TPP negotiations, but there's no timeframe on its passage.

Crucially, negotiators are waiting for the US to pass legislation to establish what's known as a fast-track authority - to make it easier for President Obama to negotiate agreements to the trade deal.

Mr Groser's spokesman says passage of that authority is an important step in paving the way for end-game negotiations on TPP.

 

 

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