Trade News & Articles
Trade Minister Todd McClay Strengthens ASEAN Ties for NZ's Economic Growth
2 days ago | 51 viewsTrade and Investment Minister Todd McClay is heading to Kuala Lumpur for high-level ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meetings, marking the 50th anniversary of New Zealand’s Dialogue Partnership with ASEAN and emphasizing the commitment to elevate the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. With ASEAN being New Zealand’s fourth-largest trading partner, valued at over $29 billion annually, the focus is on strengthening ties to double export value in a decade. Trade with ASEAN has doubled under AANZFTA in the past 15 years, with potential for further growth, and Mr. McClay aims to advance New Zealand’s priorities, support Kiwi businesses, and foster strong trade relationships during his visit.
Tags: Todd McClay Trade Investment Minister ASEAN New Zealand AANZFTA Kuala Lumpur exports partnerships MalaysiaNew Zealand Exporters Set to Benefit from Fairer Competition Under WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement
1 week ago | 80 viewsNew Zealand's Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay highlights the benefits for exporters from the World Trade Organisation's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies coming into effect, aiming to ensure fair competition by prohibiting subsidies that support illegal fishing practices. McClay emphasizes that the agreement aligns with New Zealand's push for global reform in the fishing industry, promoting responsible production and safeguarding fish stocks. New Zealand's ratification of the agreement in 2023 reflects its commitment to supporting fair competition and doubling the value of exports, with a focus on the Pacific region where key partners and exporters operate.
Tags: Todd McClay New Zealand exporters subsidies fish WTO agreement competition trade fisheriesNew Zealand Food Exporters to Benefit from Streamlined Regulations, Boosting Market Access
3 weeks ago | 198 viewsFood Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard announces a cut to red tape for food exporters in New Zealand, eliminating the need for special exemptions if products meet importing countries' requirements starting from 25 September 2025. This change simplifies compliance by aligning with destination countries' rules, reducing paperwork, costs, and delays previously associated with individual product exemptions. Hoggard emphasizes the benefits of increased efficiency, lower compliance costs, and improved trade opportunities, with a phased approach to extend the streamlined process to all food exports in the future.
Tags: food safety minister andrew hoggard exporters new zealand rules compliance dairy sector trade innovationNew Zealand–UAE Trade Agreement Brings Major Benefits and Opportunities
4 weeks ago | 245 viewsThe New Zealand–United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has come into effect, offering significant tariff savings and market access for Kiwi exporters. Key goods like dairy, red meat, and fruit will now enter the UAE duty-free, with the agreement aiming to enhance trade and investment opportunities between the two countries. The CEPA also paves the way for increased bilateral trade, job creation, and economic growth, aligning with New Zealand's export expansion goals.
Tags: New Zealand United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Todd McClay Agriculture Trade Investment Minister CEPA Kiwi exporters tariff savingsMinister McClay Addresses US Tariffs: Impact on Kiwi Exporters & Strategies for Strengthening Trade
1 month ago | 224 viewsMinister Todd McClay met with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins in Washington to address New Zealand's concerns about US tariffs disadvantaging Kiwi exporters compared to other countries. Ambassador Greer acknowledged New Zealand's low tariffs on US goods and explained the recent 5 per cent tariff increase in relation to trade surplus, setting a new minimum tariff rate of 15 per cent for surplus countries. Discussions also included product-specific trade investigations and plans for trade officials to meet to assess tariff impacts and enhance exporter certainty, with future meetings scheduled during ASEAN Trade Ministers' Meeting and APEC Leaders' Summit to strengthen trade relations and combat harmful trade practices affecting dairy industries in both countries.
Tags: Agriculture Trade Investment Minister Todd McClay US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins New Zealand tariffs Kiwi exporters steel aluminiumStrengthening Economic Ties with Thailand and Indonesia: Minister Todd McClay's Mission
1 month ago | 543 viewsTrade and Investment Minister Todd McClay is traveling to Thailand and Indonesia to enhance New Zealand's economic relationships with these key Southeast Asian economies. The focus is on leveraging the region's economic growth potential, with discussions centered around doubling exports and strengthening trade ties. The Minister will engage with senior officials, promote high-value exports, and seek to expand cooperation in areas such as food security and trade agreements during his visit from 4 to 8 August.
Tags: Todd McClay Trade Investment Minister Thailand Indonesia New Zealand Southeast Asia economy exports food demandNew Zealand Faces Tariff Increase on US Exports: Implications and Response
1 month ago | 550 viewsThe United States will increase tariffs on New Zealand exports from 10% to 15% starting August 7, aligning New Zealand with other US trading partners like Japan and South Korea based on trade deficits. Despite New Zealand's modest surplus of around US$500 million with the US, the overall trade relationship is balanced and complementary. Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay is urgently seeking to discuss the tariff increase with the US Trade Representative to mitigate its impact on exporters and consumers and maintain the strength of the trading relationship.
Tags: United States New Zealand Todd McClay tariffs trade deficits trade relationship US Trade Representative exporters consumers open tradeNZ-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Boosts Export Opportunities in $500B Market
2 months ago | 504 viewsThe NZ-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) legislation has passed, giving Kiwi exporters access to a $500 billion market that imports 90% of its food, with tariffs on 98.5% of exports immediately removed, rising to 99% in three years. Agriculture, Trade, and Investment Minister Todd McClay highlights the benefits of the agreement in lowering costs, increasing access, and enhancing New Zealand's presence in the Middle East, aiming to capitalize on UAE consumers' demand for safe, fresh products. The CEPA aims to boost two-way trade between New Zealand and the UAE, worth $1.35 billion last year, by reducing red tape, promoting services trade, and supporting investment links, aligning with the government's goal of doubling export value in a decade.
Tags: New Zealand UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA Todd McClay Agriculture Trade Investment Minister exporters tariffsNew Zealand Resolves Dairy Dispute with Canada Under CPTPP, Securing $157m Export Value Annually
2 months ago | 610 viewsTrade and Investment Minister Todd McClay announced a resolution to a dairy dispute between Canada and New Zealand under the CPTPP, projecting a $157m annual export value increase for New Zealand dairy exporters. New Zealand initiated dispute settlement proceedings due to limited dairy market access in Canada, leading to a favorable ruling and subsequent agreement for improved access through quota adjustments and penalties for misuse. McClay emphasized the importance of upholding CPTPP obligations, praised Canada for constructive engagement, and highlighted the agreement's reinforcement of the rules-based trading system.
Tags: Todd McClay Canada New Zealand dairy dispute CPTPP trade investment exporters agreement quotasBoosting Trade: New Zealand and Malaysia Strengthen Halal Meat Partnership
2 months ago | 644 viewsNew Zealand and Malaysia aim to enhance trade in high-quality halal meat products, with Malaysia being a key market for New Zealand's premium halal meat exports. Malaysia is facilitating approvals for New Zealand halal meat premises to gain access to its market, potentially leading to significant growth in exports and benefiting Kiwi farmers and exporters. Both countries are collaborating to streamline export requirements for New Zealand halal meat, emphasizing the importance of compliance with halal standards and strengthening their relationship in halal processing and assurance systems.
Tags: New Zealand Malaysia Andrew Hoggard Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid bin Haji Hamidi Halal meat Trade Export Collaboration Market Compliance