European Commission Directorate-General for Trade

Towards an EU-New Zealand Trade Agreement

The European Union has launched negotiations for a comprehensive and ambitious trade agreement with New Zealand.

Bilateral trade in goods between the two partners has risen steadily in recent years, reaching almost €8.7bn in 2017. The EU is New Zealand's third-biggest trade partner.

According to the impact assessment, trade between New Zealand and the EU could increase by 36%; trade in goods could increase by 47%, whereas the services trade could increase by 14%.

The trade negotiations aim to:

• reduce existing barriers to trade in goods and services
• make sure that European companies compete on a level playing field with businesses from countries that already have a trade agreement with New Zealand
• promote smart, sustainable and inclusive growth

The Council of the European Union authorised opening negotiations for a trade agreement between the EU and New Zealand on 22 May 2018.

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