¶3. (SBU) On multilateral issues, Sinclair emphasized that New
Zealand sees the TPP as a platform for future trade integration in
the Asia Pacific. If the eight initial members can reach the
"gold standard" on the TPP, it will "put the squeeze" on Japan,
Korea and others, which is when the "real payoff" will come in the
long term. He also stated that another challenge in negotiating is
that the current economic and commercial situation has put a great
deal of pressure on domestic agendas. Negotiators must therefore
be very cognizant of the impact on jobs, wages, and other such
factors. When asked what New Zealand's position is on including
new members, Sinclair put forth that "smaller is better" for the
current deal. However, he emphasized, that what is more important
is U.S. Congressional approval and if "critical mass" can be
achieved with the initial eight. New Zealand will take a
"constructive view" if the group needs to "bulk up" and include
Malaysia, for example.