Speech by John Adank, NZ

� This should allow businesses to operate in a competitive, innovative
environment with low compliance costs. This is a key objective for TPP.
Mexico’s interest in TPP
� So that is the TPP story so far, and what I hope it illustrates is how TPP did
not just happen overnight but evolved from a range of earlier “building block”
initiatives that New Zealand negotiators and other partners have pursued
doggedly over the last ten years.
� But a discussion of TPP here today would of course not be complete without
noting also the interest expressed by Mexico in joining TPP which New
Zealand has welcomed.
� Mexico – as well as Japan and Canada – have begun the process of
engaging with the TPP members. It is not a straightforward process. Any
decision on new members will need to be made by Ministerial consensus
among the nine members of TPP. Before that, each of the three interested
countries needs to complete a process of bilateral consultations with each of
the nine current TPP members.
� For New Zealand’s part, we have told each of the three that we are keen to
ensure that any expansion of membership does not result in a dilution of the
high quality objectives expressed by TPP Leaders and Trade Ministers at
APEC. Essentially any new member needs to commit to that vision.
� This is especially important in reference to comprehensive market access
through the elimination of tariffs and other non-tariff barriers to trade in goods
and services. We will need to see clear commitment in this respect.
� We are also keen to ensure that there is no slow-down in the pace of
negotiations.
� New Zealand stakeholders have been consulted about expanding the
membership of TPP and agree with this. Companies trading with Mexico,
Canada and Japan highlighted the advantages to their trade and economic
objectives of bringing those partners into the negotiations, provided that there
is no dilution of the current ambition as regards scope and timeline for the
negotiations.
� As regards Mexico specifically, our two countries have both long been
committed to seeking ways of promoting greater trade and economic links,
and indeed there has been progress over the years in increasing our
economic relationship: but there is potential for much more.
� Our economies are complementary and, as I’ve pointed out, we’re both
partners in the broader Asia-Pacific community. Both governments have in the