NZ and Australia Refuse to Comment on Taiwan Application to Trade Deal

Penny Wong (L), Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs meets with Nanaia Mahuta, New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister for bilateral talks in Wellington, New Zealand, on June 16, 2022. Robert Kitchin - Pool/Getty Images

The foreign ministers of New Zealand and Australia have refused to respond to questions over Taiwan’s application to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Speaking at a joint press conference in Canberra, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and NZ Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta both refused to answer questions about Taiwan’s upcoming application, instead saying that they welcome applications to the Trans-Pacific Partnership.