increase font size
Stephen Jacobi.
The outcome of the British election is not likely to have any major impact on New Zealand’s negotiations for a free trade agreement, says trade expert Stephen Jacobi.
The bigger issue for NZ is how soon the UK can get out of the EU, says Jacobi, a former diplomat, a policy adviser and executive director of the NZ International Business Forum and the NZ China Council.
“Until they have achieved that they are not really in a position for negotiating with NZ. Certainly a lot of preparatory work can be done but no formal negotiations can start.”
A big question mark also hangs over what British policies will be like after they leave the EU.
“They have a certain set of policies in relation to economic matters as a result of their membership of the EU. But how are they going to change those in the future?
“Until all those things are sorted out it is hard to see how we will be able to negotiate an FTA with them.
“So I don’t think the election result has a bearing on that other than it makes it a little more difficult to negotiate a quick exit from the EU.”
That exit will not be easy to negotiate.
“A weakened mandate for the government does not help but they still will be the government provided they get the support from the Northern Ireland party and they can continue to pass things through parliament. If they have a workable majority it shouldn’t make much difference.”
In any event leaving the EU is extremely complicated.
“I find that difficult to believe. I think our negotiation of an FTA with Britain is a long time in the future.”
The New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement concluded in December is "a significant step toward unlocking one of the world's largest and fastest growing consumer markets", says New Zealand Winegrowers Chief Executive Philip Gregan.
Trade is important to our industry, whether it’s because 90% of our wine sales are in international markets, because of the international tourists who spend money at our cellar doors, or because of the equipment we source from overseas to operate our wineries and vineyards.
International trade expert Stephen Jacobi says Winston Peters' objections to the Indian free trade deal are "ridiculous".
Leading trade analyst Stephen Jacobi has rubbished claims that New Zealand could have got a better free trade deal with India if it had prolonged the negotiations.
Additional tariffs introduced by the Chinese Government last month on beef imports should favour New Zealand farmers and exporters.
Fonterra’s impending exit from the Australian dairy industry is a major event but the story doesn’t change too much for farmers.
Expect greater collaboration between Massey University’s school of Agriculture and Environment and Ireland’s leading agriculture university, the University College of Dublin (UCD), in the future.
A partnership between Torere Macadamias Ltd and the Riddet Institute aims to unlock value from macadamia nuts while growing the next generation of Māori agribusiness researchers.
A new partnership between Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) and NZAgbiz aims to make evidence-based calf rearing practices accessible to all farm teams.
Despite some trying circumstances recently, the cherry season looks set to emerge on top of things.
Changed logos on shirts otherwise it will be business as usual when Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses are expected to change hands next month.
