Trade and Economic Updates
Africa and Middle East
Trade and Investment Minister McClay visits UAE
New Zealand Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay is undertaking a visit to the United Arab Emirates(external link) this week, where he will attend the Annual Investment Congress (AIM Congress) in Abu Dhabi to highlight investment opportunities with UAE investors. The AIM Congress is a premier global investment platform that brings together leaders, policymakers, investors, and industry experts to discuss and shape the future of global investment. The event focusses on various themes such as FDI, global trade, startups, future cities, the digital economy, and sustainable finance.
Upcoming Trade Shows in Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco
MFAT advises there are a number of trade shows in Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco scheduled for April-July 2025, covering a broad range of sectors. These trade shows may provide opportunities for exporters interested in these markets. See list here. [PDF, 168 KB]
Americas
U.S. Tariff Announcement
On April 2 (US time) US President Trump signed an Executive Order(external link) on reciprocal tariffs that means that New Zealand goods exports to the US are subject to an additional 10% tariff over current tariff rates (refer to www.tariff-finder.govt.nz(external link)) from 5 April, 5:01 pm NZT.
There are currently some exceptions to this:
- Products covered by earlier US tariff increases, such as steel products(external link) and their derivatives(external link) and aluminium products(external link) and their derivatives(external link) as well as automobiles and key automobile parts(external link).
Products, including lumber, copper, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals, certain critical minerals, and energy and energy products, listed in Annex II of the above Executive Order(external link), which may be subject to sector-specific tariffs in future. Items already in transit to the US before 5 April EST should not be subject to the additional tariff – for details, see the executive order, sec. 3(a) para 2(external link).
Any information you feel comfortable sharing on how your business is impacted is valuable to us. Please get in touch to share this information, ask questions or share your views by emailing us.exports@mfat.net.nz.
Europe
EU-Türkiye High-Level Economic Dialogue
After a six-year hiatus, the High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED) between the European Union and Türkiye was convened on 3 April, in Brussels. The Dialogue focused on the economic outlook and latest policy developments, and included a Government-to-Government session as well as a Business-to-Business meeting. The HLED represented a mutual commitment by the EU and Türkiye to strengthen economic and financial relations. It marked a step towards enhancing relations between Türkiye and the EU as part of the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the November 2023 Joint Communication on the state of play of EU-Türkiye political, economic and trade relations. The EU and Türkiye reiterated their commitment to maintaining a regular, open and frank dialogue, identifying and addressing common challenges and to continue cooperation in essential economic areas. See the joint statement(external link).
WTO Young Professionals Programme 2026 & Chief Economist openings at the World Trade Organization Secretariat in Geneva
The WTO Young Professionals Programme is a unique opportunity for qualified young professionals up to the age of 32 years, as at 1 January 2026, from WTO Members with low or no professional representation in the WTO Secretariat, to enhance their knowledge of WTO and skills in international trade issues. The Programme aims to widen the pool of professionals from these WTO Members, with the ultimate goal of broadening their representation in the WTO and/or other regional and international organizations.
New Zealand is included in the ‘non-represented’ list of countries that are encouraged to apply for the WTO Young Professionals cohort. Applications close on 22 April 2025.
Click this link for more information and to apply: JR103622 Young Professionals 2026 (external link)
For the information about the Chief Economist opportunity and other WTO vacancies click here: WTO Careers(external link)
More reports
- Read the previous global economic round-up
Reports released this week:
- Indonesia's economic plans – March 2025
- The European Commission's ‘Omnibus’ proposal for cutting ‘green tape’ – April 2025
A full list of global economic round-ups can be found here(external link).
View full list of market reports.
If you would like to request a topic for reporting please email exports@mfat.net
External links
The following links may provide useful information to businesses:
NZTE’s website(external link) and their myNZTE(external link) provides a range of insights and tools available to support New Zealand exporters.
The Treasury releases a weekly economic update(external link) every Friday. Stats NZ has published a data portal(external link) with near real-time economic indicators.
MBIE publishes a sector reports series(external link) which provides regularly updated reports on all industry sectors that make up the New Zealand economy. These include official economic data and the challenges and opportunities that face New Zealand’s industry sectors.
Business.govt.nz(external link) provides tools and advice from across government to save small businesses’ time and help make the business a success.
MFAT has created a tariff finder(external link) which is designed to help goods exporters and importers maximise benefits from New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreements and compare tariffs in 136 other markets.
The all of government Trade Barriers(external link) website can be used to register any trade barriers experienced or issues exporting to an offshore market. Queries can be sent via the website or through the MFAT Exporter Helpline 0800 824 605. Enquiries will be sent to the government agency best placed to answer.
Tatauranga Aotearoa Stats NZ provides official data on the value of New Zealand’s exports and imports of both goods and services, by commodity type via the New Zealand Trade Dashboard(external link). This interactive dashboard is updated every quarter and allows for filtering by country and by commodity type.
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Disclaimer
This information released in this report aligns with the provisions of the Official Information Act 1982. The opinions and analysis expressed in this report are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views or official policy position of the New Zealand Government. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the New Zealand Government take no responsibility for the accuracy of this report.
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