New Zealand/EU free trade talks criticised

Popular goodwill towards New Zealand after the country’s triumph in the Rugby World Cup last weekend does not extend, it seems, to upcoming free trade talks with the EU.

The talks were announced during a visit to Brussels last week by New Zealand prime minister John Key, who met with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and European Council president Donald Tusk.

Discussions to define the scope and overall approach to the negotiations between the EU and New Zealand, both major food producers, should start as soon as possible.