U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WANTS U.S./NEW ZEALAND TRADE AGREEMENT

U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WANTS U.S./NEW ZEALAND TRADE AGREEMENT    The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has called for a U.S./New Zealand Free Trade Agreement to bolster trade and investment between the countries.
   “A free trade deal would provide important economic, strategic and political benefits to both our countries,” said Thomas Donohue, president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington during a luncheon speech by New Zealand’s Prime Minister Helen Clark.
   “American companies are eager for greater market access and New Zealand presents an opportunity to grow our exports,” Donohue said.
   Under a free trade agreement, it’s estimated that U.S. exports to New Zealand would increase by about 25 percent, according to a recent study by the Institute for International Economics.