Pacific free trade agreement

Samoa ratifies PACER plus trade deal

It's the first Pacific country to ratify the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus), which has been beset by criticism it favours New Zealand and Australia.

The agreement can only come into force when at least eight of the 11 signatories ratify it.

Samoa is the third country to ratify PACER Plus, joining New Zealand and Australia.

New Zealand's Trade Minister, David Parker, said Samoa's ratification would encourage other Pacific signatories to do the same.