Kiwis are being warned to prepare for a more challenging trade environment as Donald Trump returns to the White House. 

Trump has proposed a tariff of up to 20% on all imported goods, with China potentially receiving special treatment and a tariff of up to 60%.  

New Zealand exports about $8 billion worth of goods to the US every year, and tariffs could have a significant impact. 

Damien O’Connor was a Trade Minister during the Biden Administration, and told Kerre Woodham that any tariffs implemented by Trump as President, we simply have to live with.  

He says that if tariffs are slapped on in the US, then other exporters will simply shift their product to the other markets as well, so we may have to compete with them on price. 

“These tariffs will not help anyone across the globe, including the very people in the US who they think it’s designed to help.” 

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