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Does he stand by his statement that “We start with the view that if a country decides its tariff policy, that is a matter between the taxpayers of that country and the Government and no one else”, and if so, why did MFAT officials and embassy staff advocate to the United States for them not to increase tariffs on New Zealand’s exports?

Answered Question 3138 (2026)
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Asked by

Teanau Tuiono

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • Does he stand by his statement that “We start with the view that if a country decides its tariff policy, that is a matter between the taxpayers of that country and the Government and no one else”, and if so, why did MFAT officials and embassy staff advocate to the United States for them not to increase tariffs on New Zealand’s exports?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

Yes, I stand by my statement. Countries determine their tariff rates on the basis of a variety of factors, including in the contexts of commitments stemming from membership of the World Trade Organization and of other trade agreements with specific partner countries. New Zealand’s trading relationship with the US is balanced and we will continue to advocate for the additional tariffs on New Zealand exports to be removed.