23 May 2018

EU-NZ free trade talks start in Brussels

From Morning Report, 6:40 am on 23 May 2018

New Zealand has won the right to hold free-trade talks with the world's biggest trading bloc, the European Union. The EU yesterday approved the beginning of negotiations with New Zealand and Australia. Experts predict the deal could result in a GDP boost for New Zealand of between $1.2 to 2 billion, and a 10 to 20 percent increase in exports. Speaking in Brussels a few hours ago the European Trade Commissioner, Cecilia Malmström, said she will be traveling to New Zealand in mid-June to formally launch the negotiations and then the technical team will meet shortly after that. Our correspondent Jack Parrock reports from Brussels.