New Zealand Accepts Trump’s 10 Percent Tariff as ‘Balanced’, Farmers Say It’s Still a Blow to Exports

New Zealand politicians have generally responded favourably to this morning’s announcement, though primary producers are less happy.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters in the Treaty Room of the State Department in Washington, DC, on March 18, 2025. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

New Zealand’s government is relieved—even sanguine—about the 10 percent tariff on goods exported to the United States, primary producers, however, say they are concerned.

Trade Minister Todd McClay said the 10 percent rate, compared to much higher tariffs imposed on many other countries, suggests the Trump administration views trade between the two countries as relatively balanced.