US President Donald Trump imposes 10% tariff on NZ goods

Thursday, 3 April 2025

US President Donald Trump has announced he will impose a new 10% tariff on all imported goods from New Zealand.

The move was revealed as he listed a range of new tariffs on about 60 countries that his advisers say maintain the most unfair trade barriers against US products.

Speaking to staff and supporters from the White House as part of what he called “Liberation Day”, Trump said the days of countries taking advantage of the US “are over”.

Trump used a chart to outline what tariffs the US will charge other countries, based partly on the “trade barriers” imposed by those countries on the US.

He signalled a baseline tariff of 10% across the board, with many countries singled out for higher rates.

Trump’s chart shows a 10% tariff set for NZ and the UK, with the European Union at 20%, Vietnam 46%, Taiwan 32%, Japan 24%, India 26%, South Korea 25%, and Thailand 36%, among others.

Tariffs will come into force on Thursday afternoon NZ time.

Trump said the latest round of tariffs would help protect US exporters.

“With today’s actions, we’re also standing up for our great farmers and ranchers who are brutalised by nations all over the world,” Trump said.

The NZ Government was in the dark about the plans until they were announced at 9am (NZT).

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Trade Minister Todd McClay said while the Government was looking to get more details about the announcement, it was “clear the US has viewed New Zealand and its trade relationship as fair”.

He said tariffs weren’t good for trade, but exporters were telling him there were still opportunities.

On the tariff chart the Trump presented, New Zealand was listed as charging a 20% tariff rate to the United States. McClay said that was incorrect. He said the average would be less than 17% with GST included.

“US exporters, the average is about 1.9% they face in New Zealand, that would take it below 17% … we’ll make the case in Washington today,” he said. “We won’t be looking to retaliate [against the US] as this would impact NZ consumers.”

Foreign Minister Winston Peters said he went to Washington DC to “get the best possible result for New Zealand in the circumstances, by making strong, genuine, in-person connections with the US Administration.”

“The purpose of our mission has been achieved. Indeed, New Zealand companies, who were fearing much worse, are well positioned compared to exporters from other countries,” he said.

Labour trade spokesperson Damien O’Connor said the Government’s “strategy of keeping its head down” has not given New Zealand any advantage over competitors.

“It’s disappointing that the Government hasn’t been able to negotiate lower tariffs given the very low level of tariffs we impose on goods and services from the US.”

He added it will be some time before the full effects of the tariffs are understood but suggested exporters would be negatively affected. StatsNZ data published in January showed exports to the US were worth $900 billion.

“There’s going to be $900m hit on our exports, and there is uncertainty over who will carry the cost of that, whether it will be US consumers or New Zealand exporters,' he added.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also confirmed Australia would not enter a “race to the bottom” with retaliatory tariffs.

“Our government will always stand up for Australian jobs, Australian industry, Australian consumers and Australian values,” he said.