Trade Minister Damien O’Connor travels to Detroit on Wednesday to attend the annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation Ministers Responsible for Trade from May 24 to 29.
While in Detroit, O’Connor will also host a meeting of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) ministers and participate in an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) ministerial meeting.
The CPTTP meeting comes after Brunei ratified its membership last week and the body substantially concluded negotiations on the United Kingdom’s accession in March.
The meeting of IPEF ministers is the first in-person meeting since negotiations launched.
“IPEF prioritises sustainability, inclusivity and resilience and closely aligns with the government’s trade recovery strategy. Initiated by the United States, IPEF presents an opportunity to deepen our connection with the States – our third largest trading partner – and to improve the flow of goods and services between us,” O’Connor said.
IPEF is seen in New Zealand trade policy circles as the only option for advancing trade relations with the US. Like India, it tends to resist making free trade agreements.
O’Connor will also meet with ministerial counterparts, including those from Canada, Indonesia, Mexico, Japan and the US.
