New Zealand (NZ) has announced it would be applying a 35 percent tariff to all imports from Russia, including oil, fertiliser, and vodka, the most significant economic response to the Russian invasion to date.
NZ will also ban the export of industrial products such as ICT equipment and engines to send a clear message that it will not fund or support Russia.
Trade Minister Damien O’Connor said the newly announced tariffs will work in conjunction with the international community to pressure President Vladimir Putin.
“These trade sanctions, in addition to the other measures taken already, work in tandem with Ukraine and international partners to put the most pressure possible on Putin’s regime to cease hostilities,” he said. “Officials remain in regular contact with businesses to ensure the impacts of international and domestic sanctions are understood.”
Mahuta said New Zealand would continue to call for Russia to be held to account for the alleged war crimes and atrocities against civilians.
“Our response to the war in Ukraine is the most significant response to an international crisis we’ve undertaken as a nation in recent history—including rolling out targeted legislation,” she said.
NZ has previously announced its support for the International Criminal Court prosecution of Russia and has provided funding into the investigation.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said NZ was supporting prosecutors and gathering evidence to make sure Russia was “held to account” but stopped short of calling Putin a war criminal.
“Ultimately, it is for the International Criminal Court to make that determination but I think the evidence is there,” she told reporters on March 4.
A further 36 Russians, including Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich, were barred from traveling to NZ, moving their assets into the country, or using its financial systems.
The list targets those with close personal ties to Putin or the Russian government, including some of Russia’s richest businesspeople.
