New Zealand-Hong Kong trade negotiations hit problems
Free trade negotiations between New Zealand and Hong Kong have run into difficulties over rules governing where products are manufactured and levels of local content.
Fearing that its markets could be flooded with cheap imports, New Zealand is pressing to ensure that goods manufactured in Hong Kong should be manufactured in Hong Kong only - and not in mainland China. Most goods made in Hong Kong, however, are processed in some way in China, even if only to minimal extent.
New Zealand trade negotiations minister, Jim Sutton, noted that, while both sides remained committed to the agreement, various proposals to resolve the issue had come to no avail. "Until we can find a solution to this — and we still haven't found a solution — it's really going nowhere," he said.
