Coming at a time of rising global trade tensions, New Zealand Winegrowers regards the signing of CPTPP as a welcome affirmation that strong, clear global rules on trade are necessary to underpin the standard of living that New Zealanders have come to expect.
“New Zealand Winegrowers welcomes the signing of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in Chile today for the contribution it will make to a strong New Zealand economy”, said Philip Gregan, CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers. “We’ve always been a nation of producers and traders – it’s what we’re good at. Producing quality products and trading them with the world makes our economy strong, and means we can afford the schools, hospitals, roads and services that we all expect.”
Gregan noted that New Zealand’s trade agreements, adopted under successive governments, have been crucial to giving New Zealand businesses a fair crack at international markets. “CPTPP is about setting clear rules, where all the signatory countries agree they will trade fairly, and within those rules. As a tiny trading nation, agreements like this have given New Zealand businesses a lot more certainty. That certainty means that from small beginnings, our vineyards and wineries have been able to invest, grow and now provide work for 20,000 people around the country.”
New Zealand’s wine exports to CPTPP countries were valued at $515m in the year ended June 2017, and $1.6 billion dollars in total.
New Zealand Winegrowers also welcomes the new binding provisions on labour standards in CPTPP. “For the first time, we’re signing a trade agreement that includes enforceable standards for labour and worker safety. That’s great news for workers everywhere, and hopefully sets a precedent for others to follow.”
