What the US tariffs mean for our economy - is it time we pivot our trade strategy?

2025-08-06

From tomorrow, there’ll be a 15% tariff on New Zealand imports for US businesses. The announcement of the arbitrary amount saw us frantically send our chief trade negotiator over to Washington in a last-ditch effort to plead our case. Trade Minister Todd McClay was also dispatched. But, will that actually do any good – when larger economies have already signed on the dotted line and accepted their fates? And how should New Zealand be diversifying our trade portfolio, to rely less on the big pla...

From tomorrow, there’ll be a 15% tariff on New Zealand imports for US businesses.

The announcement of the arbitrary amount saw us frantically send our chief trade negotiator over to Washington in a last-ditch effort to plead our case. Trade Minister Todd McClay was also dispatched.

But, will that actually do any good – when larger economies have already signed on the dotted line and accepted their fates?

And how should New Zealand be diversifying our trade portfolio, to rely less on the big players?

Today on The Front Page, University of Auckland Emeritus Professor of Law Jane Kelsey is with us to discuss what all this actually means for Kiwi businesses – and whether we need to reprioritise our trade relationships.

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

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