8. Question No. 8—Trade and Export GrowthDr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister for Trade and Export GrowthQuestion No. 8—Trade and Export Growth8. Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister for Trade and Export Growth: What progress has New Zealand made on trade agreements to help our primary sector and other vital exporters?Hon STUART NASH (Minister of Police) on behalf of the Minister for Trade and Export Growth: We are making excellent progress. This Government is working hard to make trade easier for our exporters and to strengthen our economy. Just yesterday the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern announced that we have secured a free-trade agreement (FTA) upgrade with China—with China. The FTA upgrade ensures that our trade agreement will remain one of the best that any country has with China. This is great news for our exporters including those in the agricultural sector who are getting top prices for their food and fibre products into China. More good news—[Interruption]SPEAKER: Order!Hon STUART NASH: Leaders of—SPEAKER: No. Order! I've just had enough of inane interjections from the Leader of the Opposition.Hon STUART NASH: Thank you Mr Speaker. Leaders of 16 countries negotiating the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) have completed negotiations on the text as well as reaching agreement on virtually all market access issues between 15 countries. This is a significant milestone and is strategically and commercially important for New Zealand.Dr Deborah Russell: How will these successes including the upgraded agreement and new trade agreement specifically benefit exporters?Hon STUART NASH: China is New Zealand's largest trading partner with two-way trade recently exceeding $32 billion. Our farmers are getting record prices for their meat and other products into China. The Government's latest trade deal will help underpin our exporters' work and support a strong robust economy. The China FTA upgrade will reduce compliance costs saving New Zealand exporters millions of dollars each year; include strong commitments to promote environmental protections; and ensure that by 2024 New Zealand will have the best access to China for dairy products of any country. The upgrade will also mean that 99 percent of New Zealand's $3 billion wood and paper trade to China will have preferential access over a 10-year implementation period.Dr Deborah Russell: What reaction has he seen to the recent trade announcements?Hon STUART NASH: The trade announcements have been received warmly both here and by our trading partners. Independent observers say—and I quote—It's a big win for the PM"—Richard Harman. And another quote: "a political win for the PM"—Audrey Young. And another quote: "The PM is a rock star."—US national security adviser Robert O'Brien. And another quote: "historical 24 hours for New Zealand trade"—Employers and Manufacturers Association.SPEAKER: Order! I think that's gone beyond the point of ministerial responsibility.Hon Todd McClay: Can the Minister confirm that his office phoned New Zealand agricultural exporters and their associations asking them to put out supportive statements in as far as the Prime Minister's announcement yesterday?Hon STUART NASH: What I can confirm is that the first free-trade agreement was signed in 2008 the second upgrade was signed in 2019—I have absolutely no idea what happened in the nine years in between.Hon Todd McClay: Well that's evident; you were in Opposition. Will the Minister commit to holding out for the same agricultural access under the European Union FTA or with India under RCEP particularly in dairy as New Zealand exporters received under the China FTA?Hon STUART NASH: Well what I can say is that the reason I'm answering this question is because the Hon Damien O'Connor and the Hon David Parker are overseas at the moment talking to our trade partners about securing free-trade agreements—extremely hard-working trade Ministers.Hon Todd McClay: Well can the Minister confirm that the agricultural market access offer made by the European Union was so disappointing that New Zealand officials now don't know what to do; and if not will the Minister table the EU market access offer in the spirit of openness and transparency?Hon STUART NASH: I'm surprised that that member is being so negative. In fact I suspect he should take advice from Audrey Young—SPEAKER: Order! Order! I think it's unnecessary to continue in that line. The member is getting pretty close to being misleading."