US ambassador gives no timetable on trade talks 

Source: ONE NewsUS ambassador to NZ David Huebner

Trade talks involving New Zealand and the United States are expected to commence, but no dates can yet be put on the process, the new US Ambassador to New Zealand David Huebner said on Wednesday.

Huebner on Wednesday presented his credentials to the government and immediately met with the media, pledging to deepen and widen co-operation between the two countries.

The Princeton and Yale educated lawyer said relations between the two countries were excellent and managed not to once mention the New Zealand ban on nuclear powered ships which has always been a point of difference.

"The US and New Zealand have always had a close relationship. Those of us who are in personal relationships know that they have there ups and downs but they remain strong," Huebner said.

"The US recognises and respects the contribution New Zealand has made in the world on security, environmental matters, on regional security, and one of the things I look forward to is working to expand and deepen those relationships."

President Barack Obama recently said he would work with New Zealand and other free trading nations to slash tariff barriers in the Asia-Pacific region.

The president singled out the existing Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement between New Zealand, Singapore, Chile and Brunei as the potential mechanism for building a huge free trade area spanning the Pacific.

Past presidents have made commitments to look at trade talks with New Zealand, but there has never been any substantial progress.

Huebner on Wednesday echoed President Obama's words, but would give no commitment to a timetable.

"I don't have details to share about exact timing, but I expect negotiations will commence ... and I am looking forward to doing whatever I can to ensure that process moves forward."

He also repeated recent statements by US Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell that US-New Zealand relations were now moving "to the next level" after heaping praise on the government's decision to send SAS troops to Afghanistan.

Campbell said the US would not be asking for more troops and recognised New Zealand was making a large contribution for its size.

Huebner said New Zealand was in Afghanistan as it was in its best interests and it was up to New Zealand to decide what level of troops it sent to the troubled country.

He would not confirm that the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would be visiting New Zealand soon, but said there would be a "variety of interesting visits" in 2010.
 
The 49-year-old is a native of Pennsylvania and long time resident of California, though he has been based in Shanghai for years where he practises law and specialises in international arbitration and mediation.

Huebner said he was a strong supporter of the Obama administration, but had not contributed to his campaign or helped to raise money.

He said he was friends with Vice-President Joe Biden and had many friends working in the White House and had put his name forward to help the administration in any way he saw fit.

Huebner showed he was a smooth and charming man, saying he was delighted with the job the president had chosen for him.

"This is a country not only of great natural beauty, but extraordinary strength of character and generosity of spirit," Huebner said.

He professed a love of rugby saying he had played the game since college and preferred it to American football as it was more passionate, aggressive and played without "armour".

A particular fans of sevens rugby - he had been to every Hong Kong  tournament since 2000 - he was looking forward to the Wellington tournament.

Huebner is the first gay US ambassador to New Zealand and he said his partner of 20 years Duane McWaine would be joining him as soon as he could safely transfer his patients to other doctors.
 
Huebner also showed he was well briefed with a good memory for detail when he spoke of his joy of wine.

"I am looking forward to drinking from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the Mainland," he said remembering what South Islanders like to call their part of the world.