4 Nov 2019

Higher standards in NZ-China free trade upgrade

From Checkpoint, 6:09 pm on 4 November 2019

New Zealand and China have finally reached agreement on an upgraded free trade deal.

It includes new rules to make exporting to China cheaper and easier, and the highest level of commitment to environmental standards China has made in any free trade deal.

China is New Zealand's largest trading partner, with two-way trade valued at more than $28 billion last year.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the announcement at the East Asia Summit, where she met with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday afternoon.

She spoke to reporters in Bangkok about what the upgrade means.