Pacific

NZ first country to ratify PACER Plus trade deal

10:16 am on 25 October 2018

New Zealand has become the first country to ratify a Pacific free trade deal.

David Parker Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

Trade Minister David Parker said New Zealand yesterday ratified the PACER Plus agreement.

He said the other ten signatories showed clear momentum towards ratification at a recent meeting.

He said his government's goal was to bring the agreement into force by next year.

Yesterday, a report by the Pacific Network on Globalisation said Pacific Island signatories to PACER Plus will lose more than $US60 million each year under the deal.