US-NZ forum not expected to provide trade talks breakthrough

A United States-New Zealand partnership forum beginning in Washington tomorrow is not expected to provide a breakthrough and spark trade talks between the two countries.

The forum, described by organisers as an "unprecedented" gathering of business, government and academic leaders, begins on Friday morning (NZT).

Trade and Defence Minister Phil Goff will attend the forum after meeting with senior members of President George W Bush's administration including Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfield.

Mr Goff said the forum and the talks were an opportunity to reinforce the ties between the two countries, not the differences. He did not expect any immediate progress on a trade deal.
NZ-US Council executive director Stephen Jacobi told National Radio New Zealand had a problem convincing the US of the merits of a trade deal between the two countries.

"One of the reasons for this is that they say we represent a limited economic opportunity. So we are there to show that the opportunity is a lot bigger than they might think."

New Zealand, as a small country, struggled to get on the radar in Washington and the forum would help to lift the profile, he said.

"Clearly we would like to make progress on a free trade agreement but we are not expecting any particular breakthroughs to be made at this particular meeting," Mr Jacobi said.

"If we don't get it now we have to build on the foundation that exists.

US-NZ Council president John Mullen said the 30-plus representatives from the US Government, business and the academic community were a good mix of influential commercial and government figures.

Delegates were largely drawn from the Council's US membership base which includes major corporates as well as individuals with personal interests in New Zealand. US representatives include senior executives from Boeing, Citigroup, Disney, EDS, TimeWarner and Weyerhaeuser as well as the Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, Dairy Farmers of America and the Food Products Association.

Members of the Bush Administration who will participate include Frank Lavin, Under Secretary for International Trade at the Department of Commerce, Paula Dobriansky, Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs and Chris Hill, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific.

National leader Don Brash will address the forum as will Mr Goff.

Former prime ministers Jim Bolger and Mike Moore, Immigration Minister David Cunliffe and National's foreign affairs spokesman Murray McCully and his associate, Tim Groser, are part of the 37-strong New Zealand delegation.

The event will conclude with luncheon at the New Zealand Embassy on Saturday 22 April (4.30am Sunday NZT).

- NZPA