TPP - Auckland2012

AUCKLAND - Representatives of the Australian and New Zealand dairy industries here are both arguing that the United States, were it to agree to new market access openings under a final Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal, would not face a flood of dairy imports from New Zealand and Australia. Their arguments appear designed to mollify worries in the U.S., where potential market access openings on dairy in the context of TPP face resistance from U.S. industry groups. These representatives also stress...

AUCKLAND - The International Brotherhood of Teamsters could oppose a final Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal if it grants more dairy market access and threatens the jobs of 31,000 dairy workers the union represents in the United States, Teamsters legislative representative Mike Dolan said in a Dec. 7 presentation to negotiators here. The union primarily represents truck drivers that deliver bulk milk or bulk feed for dairy cows but also workers in dairy product processing and manufacturing. The Teamsters represent about...

AUCKLAND - Protests against the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) turned violent on Dec. 8 as a group of about 200 people attempted to force its way into a hotel adjacent to the Sky City Convention Center in central Auckland where the talks are being held. Police officers became involved in the fray as they attempted to physically push protestors away from the building when the group began pounding the windows. The protestors marched through the city and attempted to deliver to...

AUCKLAND - A senior U.S. negotiator late last week said the integration of Canada and Mexico into the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in a way that keeps the negotiations on track towards the goal of an October 2013 conclusion is one of the main objectives in the 15th round of negotiations taking place here. "[It is] very important that we keep things going on the timetable that was envisioned, and they really did come helpfully prepared," the official said of Canada...

AUCKLAND - Observers here say the New Zealand government's shift in position on the issue of the patentability of software could be a nod to potential U.S. demands in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and an initial negotiating move meant to help convince the United States to grant New Zealand more market access for its dairy exports in return. "The government thinks what they have done will satisfy TPP needs," said Don Christie, co-chairman of NZRise, a business association of New...

AUCKLAND - The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is still working on a revised proposal related to the enforceability of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks, and did not put forth such a revision at the 15th round of talks here, according to a senior U.S. trade official. "We're developing a proposal internally, and we have to consult with Congress and stakeholders before we're in a position to table at the negotiations," the official...

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk this week highlighted intellectual property (IP) rights, disciplines on state-owned enterprises, rules of origin and textiles as among the most difficult issues in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, which he signaled were further complicated by the fact that there are now 11 countries trying to hash out a deal. These issues are among those that remain unresolved, according to Kirk, although he insisted that negotiators have made progress on resolving easier ones. "There are still...

AUCKLAND - For negotiators to meet their target of concluding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks by October 2013, countries must table all outstanding and major revised proposals early next year, conclude most of the technical work no later than May and begin focusing substantively on resolving sensitive issues, according to business representatives attending the negotiations here. Having all remaining proposals on table, preferably before the March round, would allow trade ministers to conduct a more effective stocktaking in April at...

AUCKLAND - Canada, which is generally supportive of having trade agreements contain enforceable labor rights provisions, is adding a new twist to the already contentious debate on the labor rights chapter in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. In the negotiations on labor rights, Canada is prepared to defend the approach contained in the side accord to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which limits enforcement of trade or investment-related labor rights violations to monetary fines, sources said. This differs...

AUCKLAND - Chief negotiators from a number of countries participating in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks signaled in the Dec. 12 closing press conference that countries remain far apart on key issues like disciplines for state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and patent protections for pharmaceuticals. Australia's chief negotiator, Hamish McCormick, said Australia had put forward "papers" in the area of SOEs in this round as a way of finding a compromise that reflects the common interests of TPP participants. A private-sector source...