Thursday, 03 April 2025 12:38

NZ interests best served when trade flows freely - McClay

Written by  Staff Reporters
Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay. Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay.

Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand's trade interests are best served in a world where trade flows freely.

His comments follow the announcement from US President Donald Trump that New Zealand would face a 10% tariff on goods entering the United States.

"While this is a significant development, New Zealand remains competitive against other exporters in the U.S. market," McClay says.

He says tariffs have consequences for the global economy, impacting inflation, demand, currency stability, and economic growth.

"While these tariffs create additional costs that will largely be passed on to consumers, New Zealand is in a stronger position than many other countries, some who are facing higher tariff barriers," McClay says. "This reinforces the importance of our work to create new trade opportunities and reduce barriers for our exporters in the EU, UK, UAE, GCC and most recently India."

McClay says New Zealand's bilateral relationship with the United States is still strong.

"We will be talking with the Administration to get more information, and our exporters to better understand the impact this announcement will have," he adds.

"We will continue to advocate for a rules-based trading system."

More like this

Dirty Pool!

OPINION: President Trump's tariff wars have torpedoed the US grain belt's biggest market, China, sending many US family farms to the wall.

Editorial: Trump's Tirade

OPINION: "We are back to where we were a year ago," according to a leading banking analyst in the UK, referring to US president Donald Trump's latest imposition of a global 10% tariff on all exports into the US.

Featured

National

Machinery & Products

Chinese Tractors Eye Western Europe

Having caused quite a stir at last year’s Agritechnica, Chinese manufacturer Zoomlion is reported to be conducting large-scale field trials…

Franz Grimme Turns 80

Franz Grimme recently celebrated his 80th birthday earlier March and continues to be an entrepreneur with passion and pioneering spirit,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

What A Choice!

OPINION: If you ask this old mutt, the choice at the next election isn't shaping up as a contest of…

Your Call!

OPINION: A mate of yours says we're long overdue for a reckoning on what value farmers really get for the…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter