Why does the EU-NZ FTA take so long?

Plans for prime minister Jacinda Ardern to embark on a last-minute lobbying effort to the EU were put on ice. (Photo: Adobe Stock)

Tim Hurdle

Mon, 15 Nov 2021

Last week, news broke that the negotiation of the European Union and New Zealand Free Trade Agreement was further delayed. Reports said that French President Emmanuel Macron wanted to delay further negotiation until after the election he faces in April 2022.Plans for NZ prime minister Jacinda Ardern to embark on a last-minute lobbying effort were put on ice.NZ sources derided the market access offer on the table for NZ agricultural exporters as “paltry” and “lacking ambition” – with many wanting to gain unfett...

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