New Zealand Ambassador Tours Port of Philadelphia Facilities

While the US Men’s Rugby team prepares to face the New Zealand Maori All Blacks at PPL Park in Chester, PA, a different team of New Zealand dignitaries was gathered up the river at the Port of Philadelphia to meet with local officials and discuss trade relations between the two nations.  The Right Honorable Mike Moore, New Zealand Ambassador to the United States, today met with executives from Holt Logistics, the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority, and New Zealand Dairy Cooperative Fonterra while touring the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal in South Philadelphia.

The Ambassador and delegation toured the Packer Avenue facility, stopping to examine various New Zealand exports currently being stored there including dairy products, apples, kiwis, forestry materials and more, before answering questions from reporters on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.

Negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will eventually produce a comprehensive, next-generation free-trade model that addresses both new and traditional trade and investment issues. These include supporting the creation and retention of jobs and the promotion of economic development in all nations. This partnership will eliminate tariffs and other barriers to goods, services, trade and investment, which would create new opportunities for workers and instantaneous benefits for customers. The TTP will also allow the development of production and supply chains among member nations, which will bring TPP members closer to their goal of creating new jobs, raising the standard of living, improving welfare and promoting sustainable growth in each country. The TPP consists of 12 nations, including the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, Peru, Singapore, Viet Nam, Mexico and Canada.

“We are proud to play an active role in the TPP negotiations that will reap substantial benefits to countries throughout the Pacific rim,” said Mike Moore, New Zealand Ambassador to the United States.  “According to the Business Roundtable, 46% of Pennsylvania goods exports went to TPP countries last year, and trade between Pennsylvania and TPP countries supported more than 613,000 jobs”

The United States and New Zealand established diplomatic relations in 1942.  New Zealand’s relationship with the United States is one of the most important and cooperative that New Zealand maintains. The trade relationship between the two countries offers many benefits for U.S. exporters and investors.

“It is our distinct pleasure to welcome the Ambassador and his delegation to the Port of Philadelphia,” said Leo A. Holt, President of Holt Logistics.  “As one of the primary East coast recipients of New Zealand imports, we are well aware of the positive impact the Trans-Pacific Partnership will have on our facilities and the larger region.  We will work tirelessly with our government counterparts to safeguard this agreement that will put more Philadelphians to work in our Port.”

New Zealand works closely with the United States on both regional and multilateral economic issues. The two nations share many similar goals and philosophies based on each other’s common heritage, shared values and interests, and commitment to promoting a free, democratic, secure and prosperous world.  In addition, the United States is an important source of innovation, research and investment for New Zealand.

One of the main goals for both the United States and New Zealand, along with other participating nations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, is the expansion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership with more Asian Pacific nations.