United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk greets New Zealand Minister for Trade Tim Groser and Phillip Goff, New Zealand MP

Ambassador Kirk met today with New Zealand's Minister of Trade and Climate Change Issues, Tim Groser.  The Honorable Phil Goff, leader of the opposition Labour Party also joined the meeting along with other senior officials from New Zealand.  Minister Groser is visiting Washington for the U.S.-New Zealand 2009 Partnership Forum as part of a large delegation of New Zealand's senior government officials, Members of Parliament and private sector leaders.  Ambassador Kirk and Minister Groser exchanged views on the strength of the U.S.-New Zealand bilateral trade relationship and discussed ways to further cooperation in areas of mutual interest.  Key among issues discussed was the shared commitment to achieving an ambitious and balanced conclusion to the WTO Doha Round in 2010, and working together to ensure ambitious outcomes in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum in 2009.  Also of importance to both officials were issues related to the environment, including initiatives the United States is pursuing in the WTO and APEC to liberalize trade and eliminate barriers to environmental goods and services, including climate-friendly technologies.