The sixth round of free trade agreement negotiations
with New Zealand took place between 19-30 July 2021.
Both countries are committed to concluding a high-quality free
trade agreement (FTA), setting a precedent for high standard FTAs
in the future.
We have now provisionally closed nine chapters and one annex in
total. In Round 6, significant progress was made in the following
areas:
-
Express Delivery Services (Annex):
These provisions give legal certainty to UK delivery service
suppliers by offering reassurance that the regulatory
environment provides a level playing field. Securing
commitments on this essential part of the supply chain
enables smoother delivery of goods between our countries.
-
Anti-Corruption:
Corruption acts as a barrier to free trade by increasing the
cost of doing business. The chapter covers provisions
relating to whistleblowing, embezzlement, money laundering,
and other areas. Having strong global standards based on an
international rules-based approach allows businesses to
compete fairly. If businesses cannot compete fairly, the
costs are ultimately shifted onto consumers and taxpayers.
Doing business with integrity is beneficial to the
medium-long term prosperity at both a national and corporate
level.
-
Development:
Trade agreements between two developed economies can impact
on developing countries that are not party to the agreement.
Development provisions recognise the role that trade and
investment can play in contributing to positive economic and
social development outcomes; whilst creating opportunities
for UK firms and consumers, e.g., lowering prices,
and opening fast-growing markets for UK exporters.
Below is a summary list of those areas discussed in the round,
with productive discussions in all areas:
- Cross Border Trade in Services (CBTS)
- State-Owned Entities and Designated Monopolies (SOEs)
- Trade and Labour
- Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS)
- Rules of Origin (RoO)
- Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)
- Consumer Protection
- Domestic Regulation
- International Maritime Transport Services (Annex)
- Investment
- Indigenous Trade
- Digital Trade
- General Exceptions
- Financial Services
- Professional Business Services (PBS)
- Trade Remedies
- Institutional Provisions
- Good Regulatory Practice and Regulatory Cooperation (GRP)
- Temporary Entry of Business Persons
- Intellectual Property (IP)
- Telecommunications
- Trade and Environment
An agreement could see the removal of tariffs on an array of UK
and New Zealand exports, such as food and drink, clothing, and
manufactured goods.
A free trade agreement with New Zealand will open another
important gateway to the Comprehensive and Progressive
Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a £9 trillion free trade area
of 11 Asia-Pacific nations, including New Zealand and
Australia. Membership will open huge new opportunities for our
farmers, manufacturers, and services firms, with two-thirds of
the world’s middle classes set to be in Asia by 2030.
