NZ and Australia to talk trade

Todd McClay travels to Sydney on Sunday. Photo / NZME.

New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay is travelling to Sydney to discuss bilateral and regional trade issues with his Australian counterpart, Trade and Investment Minister Steven Ciobo.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will be a key focus of the meeting and Mr McClay is also noting the importance of regional alliances.

Mr McClay travels to Sydney on Sunday. The Australian visit is the first in a series of planned trips to TPP signatory countries by Mr McClay in February.

Despite the United States' recent decision to pull out of the agreement, a number of other TPP signatories, including Australia, have expressed a strong commitment to continuing with TPP, he says.

"This meeting will be an important opportunity to understand Australia's ambitions in this area," he says.

New Zealand and Australia are both in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and Pacer Plus trade agreement negotiations.

"The prime minister has asked me to engage with our trading partners on ways to advance trade liberalisation in the Asia-Pacific, and elsewhere, to secure better access for New Zealand exporters to offshore markets," says Mr McClay.

Australia is New Zealand's largest two-way trading partner and "closest friend", Mr McClay says.

"It's important we stay in close touch with Australia on regional economic integration issues," he says.

-AAP