New Zealand is one of the parties to the TPP agreement, along with the United States, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.
On October 5, the 12 countries of the Pacific Rim region reached an agreement on the wording and subject matter of the TPP trade deal, intended to deregulate trade among the signatories which together make up 40 percent of the world economy.
The deal’s supporters claim it will spur global economic growth and create jobs.
The unusual secrecy surrounding the TPP negotiations, and the uncertain implications of the deal for workers’ rights, national sovereignty, employment, copyright and the environment have drawn strong criticism from lawmakers, economics experts and the public.
