National has committed to secure New Zealand’s next billion customers by pursuing trade negotiations with seven new economies in the next five years as it launches its election trade policy today, National’s Trade spokesperson Todd McClay says.
“New Zealand is a trading nation. We create jobs and lift incomes by supporting great Kiwi companies to compete on the world stage for a rising share of global trade and investment,” Mr McClay says.
“Trade is not about what leaves our ports, it’s about what comes back into our communities. When Kiwi businesses sell more to the world, they are able to grow and create more jobs and pay wages that are invested back into the community.
“National has a proud record of pushing open doors for New Zealand exporters in new and growing markets.
“Christopher Luxon promised National would get a free trade deal with India in our first term of government. We delivered, despite many saying it couldn’t be done.
“A re-elected National Government will apply this same ambition and focus on securing New Zealand’s next billion customers,” Mr McClay says.
National’s plan to secure New Zealand’s next billion customers includes:
- Prioritising new trade deals with European, South American, African and Asian countries, with an initial tranche of seven priority markets to pursue negotiations with in the next five years.
- Negotiating new essential supplies agreements with like-minded partners, using the NZ–Singapore AOTES agreement as the template.
- Cutting red tape by expanding paperless trade and digital customs, eliminating $1 billion in non-tariff barriers.
- Creating new tools for businesses to help streamline their export experience.
- Giving New Zealand Trade and Enterprise a sharper mandate – leading Kiwi businesses to new opportunities and backing the next generation of exporters.
- Completing at least 23 trade missions over the next term, with a sharper focus on sector-specific missions and measurable commercial outcomes.
- Re-affirm our commitment to doubling the value of exports by 2034
The seven priority markets are Brazil, Switzerland, Argentina, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Uruguay and the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). Together, they represent almost 700 million people and more than US$5 trillion in combined GDP.
“National’s trade agenda has supported rapid growth in exports, which have risen from $94.4 billion to $114.1 billion, on track to exceed our goal of doubling the value of our exports by 2034. But National is ambitious for more,” Mr McClay says.
“The seven markets we have identified offer huge, untapped opportunities for New Zealand exporters. Our exports to these countries are currently worth just $1.8 billion, demonstrating the scale of the opportunity for our exporters.
“A re-elected National Government will prioritise commencing negotiations with each of these seven markets in the next five years to secure better access for Kiwi companies, boost exports, create jobs and lift incomes.
“This first tranche of markets will be followed by a second tranche, made up of six other markets, with negotiations to commence with this tranche over the next decade.”
The six markets identified for the second tranche are South Africa, Turkey, Colombia, Morocco, Sri Lanka and Mauritius.
“Every extra sale offshore supports stronger businesses, more jobs and higher incomes at home. National will keep backing our exporters to seize new opportunities and become more competitive.
“This is all part of National’s plan to build New Zealand’s future - one where our exporters succeed on the world stage, creating more jobs, opportunities and higher incomes at home.”