Asia & Pacific

New Zealand Negotiating Critical Minerals Deal With the US

A claim before the Waitangi Tribunal covering the country’s petroleum, natural gas and minerals could impede a deal with the US.
New Zealand Negotiating Critical Minerals Deal With the US
US President Donald Trump (L) speaks with New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon upon their arrival for a special dinner hosted in honour of US President Donald Trump and state leaders at the Hilton Gyeongju hotel in Gyeongju on October 29, 2025. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images
Rex Widerstrom
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New Zealand is in confidential negotiations with the United States on the supply of critical minerals after President Donald Trump issued a proclamation on Jan. 14 declaring that countries that didn’t sign a deal would be subject to tariffs.

Having officially joined a trading partnership last year, New Zealand has been designated a “foreign trading partner” and could face tariffs if it doesn’t negotiate.

Rex Widerstrom
Rex Widerstrom
Author
Rex Widerstrom is a New Zealand-based reporter with over 40 years of experience in media, including radio and print. He is currently a presenter for Hutt Radio.