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Tim Groser - Source: ONE News -
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Trade Minister Tim Groser does not see the United States' decision to postpone free trade talks with New Zealand, Chile, Singapore and Brunei, as anything more than a delay.
The US had been looking at joining the P4 trans-Pacific trade pact early next year, but has pulled out of this month's talks in Singapore, saying it is yet to finalise its trade representative, the New Zealand equivalent of a Trade Minister.
US President Barack Obama has nominated Ron Kirk for the position but Kirk has not yet been approved by the Senate.
"He's (Kirk) got to go through the confirmation process. There's then 20 political positions in his trade ministry that have to be appointed," says Groser.
Groser says when that process is complete, trade talks should be able to move forward.
New Zealand has long pressed for a free trade agreement with the US, though it has been met with opposition from the likes of US dairy farmers.
However, Groser says while the US dairy industry remains opposed to an agreement, other sectors are positive.
"What is good news from a New Zealand point of view is that the lobbies which have broad cross-sectoral interests more or less came out quite strongly in favour of it, or at least indicated a positive interest," he says.
Groser says the US' delay is "prudent" on their behalf and he is optimistic an agreement will eventuate.
Prime Minister John Key says while the decision is disappointing he understands the US wants to "stock take" its free trade agreements.
He says the real concern is whether their decision "sends a message of protectionism" and other economies follow suit.
"We're a small country, we trade with the world. About the last thing we want is countries putting up barriers around the world," he says.
Groser says New Zealand has made important advances in free trade recently with other countries, such as the signing of the 12-member AANZFTA and agreements to begin free trade talks with South Korea and India.
