CONGRESSWOMAN
ELLEN O. TAUSCHER
10TH DISTRICT ~ CALIFORNIA
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1034 Longworth HOB - Washington, D.C. 20515 - (202) 225-1880 (phone) & (202) 225-5914 (fax)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2005
CONTACT: Hayley Rumback (202) 225-1880
http://www.house.gov/tauscher/
Reps. Kolbe and Tauscher Launch
"Friends of New Zealand Congressional Caucus"
Today, Reps. Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) and Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) announced the creation of the "Friends of New Zealand Congressional Caucus." The Caucus is the first step in a new partnership between Reps. Kolbe and Tauscher to facilitate trade between America and partner countries.
"In order for the U.S. to continue being a world leader in free trade, we must work toward a free trade agreement with New Zealand, as New Zealand will help open the door to markets around the world," said Rep. Kolbe. "Rep. Tauscher, myself, and more than 50 bipartisan members of Congress are committed to strengthening the bilateral economic relationship between the United States and New Zealand. This caucus will build on our countries' common histories and democratic values and deepen our partnership in the war on terror."
OK, I think that's overstating the case a bit, but I still agree with the idea.
"I am pleased to join Rep. Kolbe and a sizeable and bipartisan group of my colleagues to draw attention to the valuable trading partner we have in New Zealand. Increasing the flow of trade with New Zealand is next step after concluding the Australian Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that passed last Congress, and would add dollars to the bottomlines for California companies," said Rep. Tauscher. "California ranks first among all states in the country in exports to New Zealand, shipping $375.9 million in goods in 2003."
The "Friends of New Zealand Congressional Caucus" is a bipartisan working group that will strengthen and promote closer economic, political, and social links between the U.S. and New Zealand. Given the United States' vested interest in New Zealand, the lawmakers want to work toward establishing a FTA.
The United States and New Zealand have enjoyed a close relationship and have been trading partners for 150 years. The U.S. is one of the largest investors in the New Zealand economy, covering sectors that range from agriculture to finance, chemicals to telecommunications. The United States is the second largest exporter of goods to New Zealand behind Australia, and it is estimated that U.S. merchandise exports will increase by 25% with a FTA.
The National Association of Manufacturers recently praised the New Zealand markets and listed them among their top five priority nations for trade negotiations. New Zealand imported $1.7 billion of U.S. manufactured goods in 2003, an amount that the NAM economic model projects will be about $2.5 billion in 2010. The NAM also estimates that this growth could be faster if an FTA were in place.
Likewise, former USTR Robert Zoellick stated his interest in exploring an FTA with New Zealand when he began talks on an FTA for Australia. A U.S. - N.Z. FTA would naturally complement the U.S. – Australia FTA and would benefit the economies of all three countries.
# # #
Members of the "Friends of New Zealand Congressional Caucus:"
Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI)
Rep. Tom Allen (D-ME)
Rep. Charles Bass (R-NH)
Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA)
Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL)
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)
Rep. Madeleine Bordallo (Del-Guam)
Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX)
Rep. Henry Brown (R-SC)
Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN)
Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA)
Rep. Chris Chocola (R-IN)
Rep. Ben Chandler (D-KY)
Rep. Bud Cramer (D-AL)
Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY)
Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-TN)
Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR)
Rep. Lincoln Diaz Balart (R-FL)
Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA)
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)
Rep. Paul Gillmor (R-OH)
Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY)
Rep. Nancy Johnson (R-CT)
Rep. Tim Johnson (R-IL)
Rep. Mark Steven Kirk (R-IL)
Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI)
Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-AZ)
Rep. Ray LaHood (R-IL)
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)
Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL)
Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT)
Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-FL)
Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA)
Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA)
Rep. Thomas Petri (R-WI)
Rep. Rob Portman (R-OH)
Rep. Rick Renzi (R-AZ)
Rep. Thomas Reynolds (R-NY)
Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR)
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA)
Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ)
Rep. Clay Shaw (R-FL)
Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT)
Rep. Rob Simmons (R-CT)
Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA)
Rep. John Tanner (D-TN)
Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA)
Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA)
Rep. Ed Towns (D-NY)
Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI)
Rep. Jerry Weller (R-IL)
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)
I may not by the rest of what the gal stands for, but New Zealand is a good, free and democratic country generally. We need to support everybody who stands for the principles our country was founded on. Our long-term self-interest demands it.
