Asia House Brexit Series: Britain eyes up trade deals in Asia-Pacific

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the multi-party trade pact involving the US and Japan, may offer the UK a viable opportunity for a multi-country trade deal in the post-Brexit era. TPP, which is strongly supported by President Obama but is yet to be ratified in the US, aims to deepen economic ties between members by cutting tariffs and encouraging greater trade and investment.

Will other trade agreements in the Asia Pacific offer similar opportunities for the UK? Chile and New Zealand have signed FTAs with China. Could the UK follow suit? Will ‘mega-FTA’ deals like TPP create greater levels of competition for the EU, especially in the context of Brexit.

HE Mr Koji Tsuruoka, Ambassador of Japan to the United Kingdom, and Sir Alexander Lockwood Smith KNZM, High Commissioner of New Zealand to the United Kingdom, will brief Asia House corporate members on the TPP, other key developments in trade across the Asia-Pacific region and related opportunities for both the UK and EU.

This event is taking place as part of the Asia House Brexit Series, which will encompass a number of seminars and private briefings. In this series we are monitoring developments following the EU referendum with a focus on both the UK’s and the EU’s relationship with Asia both economically and politically.

Attendance at this event is for Asia House corporate members and invited guests only.

For further information, please contact: Conor Paterson, Business & Policy Team at conor.paterson@asiahouse.co.uk or call 0207 307 5439.

Rt Hon Sir Lockwood Smith KNZM Ph.D., New Zealand High Commissioner to the United Kingdom

Rt Hon Sir Lockwood Smith is the current High Commissioner of New Zealand to the UK. Sir Lockwood served as a Member of Parliament from 1984 until his retirement in early 2013 to pursue a diplomatic career. During his parliamentary career, he served as a senior minister in various portfolios including Education, Agriculture, and Trade. He also served as Deputy Minister of Finance, Minister of Forestry, Minister of Tourism, Minister Responsible for Contact Energy Ltd, Minister Responsible for the Education Review Office, and Minister Responsible for the National Library. He was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2008 and three years later was unanimously re-elected to the role, a position he held until his retirement.

Prior to entering politics, Sir Lockwood was the New Zealand Dairy Board’s marketing manager for Central and South East Asia. He had previously been a university lecturer and also hosted educational children’s television shows in Australia and New Zealand.

H.E. Mr. Koji Tsuruoka, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of Japan in the United Kingdom

H.E. Mr. Koji Tsuruoka was appointed by the Japanese Government as the new Ambassador of Japan to the United Kingdom in April 2016. Prior to this appointment, he was the Chief Negotiator for the TPP and Ambassador, Representative of the Government of Japan for the TPP (2013-2016). He has served in embassies in Moscow, Washington and Jakarta, and was Chief Negotiator for services during the Uruguay Round. In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs he has served as Deputy Director General of the Foreign Policy Bureau (2003-2006), Director-General for Global Issues (2006-2008), Director-General, International Legal Affairs Bureau (2008-2010), Deputy Vice-Minister for Foreign Policy (2010- 2012), and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs (2012 –2013).