THE "DESPITE" IS SHAMEFUL:

Free-trade optimism despite US move (Claire Trevett, 3/09/09, NZ Herald)

Trade Minister Tim Groser is hopeful negotiations on a free-trade agreement with the United States will be restarted by the end of the year despite the American decision to indefinitely delay the first round of talks.

The United States has put on hold scheduled talks with the grouping of Trans Pacific Partnership countries - including New Zealand - while key appointments are being made to the Trade Representative's office, including congressional confirmation of US Trade Representative Ron Kirk.

President Barack Obama's new Administration also wants to review its position on free trade before beginning talks which the US signed up to last September when George W. Bush was still in office.

If only the UR would stop alienating allies....

Posted by Orrin Judd at March 8, 2009 10:48 AM