Controversial trade deal down, but not out, Kiwis say

Kiwis who opposed the Transpacific Partnership Agreement may be breathing a sigh of relief at its apparent demise, but are not letting their guard down.

On Thursday, John Key said the trade deal was dead in the water because of Donald Trump’s election as president of the United States.

The agreement’s 12 participating nations signed the deal in Auckland in February.

For it to come into effect, the nations then each needed to ratify it.

Donald Trump was against the TPP throughout his campaign. His website lists scrapping the deal as number one on his plan to rebuild the American economy, and says trade agreements were costing millions of American jobs..

Sue Pugmire has organised protests in Palmerston North against the deal.

‘‘I’m very happy it might not get through at this point.

‘‘It would be the best thing that could have happened for New Zealand, because there’s nothing in it for trade for New Zealand, and there’s a lot of risk.

‘‘I don’t 100 per cent trust [the stall]. It gives us longer to make sure it doesn’t get through at all.’’

The TPP would benefit the wealthy.

Although Trump said he was a people’s politician, ultimately he would be working for ‘‘rich America, and corporate interests’’.

If it was dead in the water, it was important New Zealand did not pass legislative changes bringing the county in line with TPP provisions through Parliament, she said.

Fellow protester Cherylee Hemopo was also not reassured.

‘‘I’d like to believe that this is going to be the end of it, but I’m worried about them rushing it through in the lame duck period [before the new Congress takes power].

‘‘If it has squashed it, having Trump as president, it’s worth it.

‘‘A lot of people are quite hopeful.’’

Palmerston North lawyer Liam Hehir supported the deal and was disappointed it could fail.

‘‘I thought it was good for the country, to deepen ties with other countries in the Pacific, so of course I think it’s disappointing.

‘‘It’s over with now. We’ll never find out if it was as bad as people said, or as good as others said.

‘‘It’s only academic now. I think Trump is completely ignorant in terms of trade.’’

Palmerston North MP Iain Lees-galloway was cautious about renegotiating in the new political climate.

Trump’s opposition to the TPP was for different reasons than opposition in New Zealand, he said.