\u201cTariffs in themselves are harmful; they restrict competition,\u201d McClay said as the meeting wrapped up.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey put up costs on consumers, and they actually make it harder to trade across the border.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rules we have in our trade agreements we take from the WTO [World Trade Organisation], and [we take] the commitments we\u2019ve made there seriously.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe look forward to doing more to bring down barriers and create certainty for our exporters.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has always been challenging for small and medium-sized economies when it comes to trade. That\u2019s why you see the 19 members of the partnership talking about working together to reduce barriers to make it easier and much more certain.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere has never been a time when it\u2019s not important for New Zealand to trade; like-minded countries must find ways to work together.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, if we find uncertainty in one part of the world, we can grow greater certainty in others for our export.\u201d<\/p>\n
The FIT meeting is the biggest to be held in New Zealand in two decades.<\/p>\n
Ten trade ministers and about 100 delegates representing 21 countries jetted into Auckland for the day-long quickfire talk session, with many other meetings on the sidelines.<\/p>\n
The 16 FIT Partnership countries (Brunei, Chile, Costa Rica, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Morocco, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Rwanda, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay) are small and medium-sized economies that rely on trade.<\/p>\n
Three other nations \u2013 South Korea, Peru and Thailand \u2013 officially joined the partnership in Auckland.<\/p>\n
Reducing non-tariff barriers, going digital and dealing with supply chain issues were all key topics discussed at the forum.<\/p>\n
Trade Minister Todd McClay and other ministers at the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership ministerial summit. Photo \/ Cameron Pitney<\/p>\n
McClay said the progress being made with other FIT countries would benefit New Zealand businesses, as they looked to trade in other parts of the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cCompanies will make decisions for themselves where they want to put their effort and deploy their capital when rules are fair and respected. As economies can grow, trade increases, jobs are created, and that can be good.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a very straightforward message for New Zealand exporters.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will continue to look to negotiate high-quality trade agreements with like-minded partners that are fair and balanced, grow two-way trade equally so that they can have certainty, and we will help them.\u201d<\/p>\n
More countries want deals like the world-leading food and fuel agreement signed with Singapore.<\/p>\n