New Zealand negotiators are "holding our ground" in talks to conclude the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade and investment treaty with some improved access expected for dairy exports to the highly protected markets of North America and Japan, says Trade Minister Tim Groser.
He acknowledged that comments from Prime Minister John Key on Monday, that whatever deal was achieved would be "at least the very best we can do", had been interpreted as a sign of a poor deal on dairy in the offing, but told BusinessDesk "we're in anything other than capitulation mode".
It would, however, "not be a gold-plated deal".
"Basically, the situation is that I and my negotiators can see a very good deal for New Zealand in everything except dairy and I don't know to characterise the deal there because it's not a deal we could accept," said Groser.
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