Trade minister's "unbecoming" remark toward Canada hurts New Zealand economy: opposition

New Zealand Trade Minister Tim Groser has undermined trade negotiations with Canada with " unbecoming and undiplomatic" language, political opponents warned Wednesday.

The claim came after Groser spoke to the Reuters news agency last month about the introduction into the U.S. Congress of fast- track approval for the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal.

Groser said in the story that the move cleared the way for Canada to open up a protected dairy industry that "looks like it belongs in the former Soviet Union."

U.S.-based policy analyst Mary Bates then wrote a column quoting a Canadian official as saying the comments had shut down any chance of a Canadian government agreeing to lift controls.

The comments had made New Zealand a laughing stock on the international stage and had serious repercussions for New Zealand exports, said trade spokesperson for the main opposition Labour Party, David Parker.

The reported insult followed revelations that New Zealand spy agencies had spied on rivals to help Groser in his failed 2013 bid to head the World Trade Organization, Parker said in a statement.

"Mr. Groser is now the ridiculed owner of a verb in his dubious honor. 'Grossing' now means 'counterproductive undiplomatic sledging' in the (Washington) DC diplomatic community," said Parker.

"It is an apt term for someone whose arrogant style offends many," he said.

"The reports show he has undermined New Zealand's negotiations with Canada on reductions to dairy product tariffs, making it likely tariff reductions similar to those achieved in the China FTA (free trade agreement) will not be achieved. This will hurt New Zealand's economy for many years to come." Endi