New Zealand lamb exporters face risk of fresh Trump tariffs, trade minister warns
New Zealand's trade minister has warned that the country's lamb exporters could face higher tariffs from the Trump administration. The United States is the second-largest market for New Zealand lamb.
New Zealand's trade minister has warned the country's lamb exporters could face higher tariffs from the Trump administration. Speaking to producers, the minister said recent signals from Washington pointed to potential cost increases for New Zealand suppliers.
The United States is New Zealand's second-largest market for lamb after China, contributing a notable share of total export earnings. The government says diplomatic channels with Washington remain open while it weighs support measures aimed at strengthening competitiveness in alternative markets.
The warning comes as dollar-denominated commodity costs are pushed up by the Iran conflict. RNZ reports that freight and insurance premiums are climbing sharply. Industry bodies say any new tariff would affect family farms and large exporters alike, and they have called on the government to keep pressing for an early diplomatic settlement with Washington.
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