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TPP without United States will leave "vacuum" in Asia-Pacific: New Zealand PM

Xinhua, May 3, 2016 Adjust font size:

If the United States fails to ratify the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal, others nations will seek to "fill the vacuum" in the Asia-Pacific region, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said Tuesday.

"The Asia-Pacific will be the major driver of global economic growth for the foreseeable future," Key said in a published speech to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs.

"It's part of the reason why President (Barack) Obama is so focused on getting TPP over the line in the U.S. -- which we remain optimistic he will be able to do," said Key.

"For the U.S. the TPP is about taking advantage of economic growth as well as maintaining leadership in the region," he said.

"Everyone wants the U.S. there, but if they're not, the region won't stand still others will look to fill the vacuum.

"In my opinion, though, U.S. leadership remains strong and it remains in its best interest to join TPP."

The New Zealand government had pushed hard for the TPP, which fitted into its wider program of building ties across Asia and the Pacific.

That included the free trade agreement (FTA) with China, which the government hoped to upgrade, and FTAs with the Republic of Korea and the Association of South East Asian Nations.

Key said New Zealand was an "honest broker" in international affairs and was working hard to build international connections. Endit