Lords to question policy experts on UK-New Zealand Agreement in Principle

The session will explore topics such as commitments in the Agreement in principle on digital trade, services trade, and environment and climate, as well as benefits for goods trade and the Government’s approach to engagement and openness with the public throughout the negotiations. 

Giving evidence will be: 

• Prof Emily Jones, Associate Professor in Public Policy, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford  
• Prof Michael Gasiorek, Director of the UK Trade Policy Observatory (UKTPO), University of Sussex 

Questions the committee is likely to ask include: 

• New Zealand already applies zero or very low tariffs on most of its goods. What additional benefits would this agreement provide for goods trade? 
• What are the key services trade commitments in the Agreement in Principle and how could they help businesses in the UK services sectors? 
• What is your assessment of the digital trade commitments in the Agreement in Principle?  
• The Agreement in Principle includes commitments on intellectual property— particularly for New Zealand to extend its copyright term by 20 years and to adopt or maintain artist’s resale right schemes. How helpful are these for the UK creative industries?  
• The Agreement in Principle includes specific commitments on the environment and climate, consumer protection, and trade and development – are they meaningful or just symbolic? 
• How would you rate the UK Government’s approach to engagement and openness with the public throughout the negotiations; and how does it compare with that of the New Zealand Government? 

The session will take place virtually on Wednesday 24 November at 4.00 PM and can be followed on Parliament TV.