Trade Minister travelling to United States after to discuss 15 percent tariff
Photo:
RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Agriculture, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will be travelling to the United States to meet with his counterparts after President Donald Trump's 15 percent tariff on New Zealand exports was announced.
The United States, New Zealand's second largest export market, imposed the higher-than-expected tariff after initially signalling a 10 percent rate.
"Following the United States' 1 August decision to apply a 15 percent, or more, tariff to ever country with a trade surplus, this visit will be an opportunity to discuss the impact of that decision and better understand the factors that may influence future US tariffs," McClay said.
"New Zealand and the United States have a long-standing, well-balanced trading relationship, with periods where the US has enjoyed a surplus and times, like now, when New Zealand has a modest one. Overall, our trade is complementary and reflects the strength of a long-standing partnership.
"I will be seeking to understand the effect of any change in trade flows for example, if New Zealand's current surplus shifted to a deficit, and what that might mean for our exporters.
"The US currently faces an average tariff of just 0.3 percent when exporting to New Zealand, far lower than what we face into their market.
"It's important that we raise these concerns constructively, while reaffirming our commitment to the strong, cooperative relationship we have with the United States."
McClay will stop in Saudi Arabia first, to advance bilateral trade and investment opportunities, and to discuss how best to leverage the New Zealand-Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement, for which negotiations concluded last year.
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