Weekly Global Report:
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Trade and Economic Updates
New Zealand
Kea Connect: Free Business Support for Kiwi Exporters
- Kea, the Kiwi Expat Association, is New Zealand’s global community of Kiwis and friends of New Zealand, living both offshore and at home. Kea Connect is a free service designed to support New Zealand businesses exporting, or planning to export, with a clear growth objective and a specific connection need. What makes this possible is Kea’s global community, made up of thousands of internationally experienced Kiwis, including business leaders, founders, investors, and industry experts across more than 40 countries, who generously share their expertise, networks, and insights to help Kiwi businesses succeed offshore. Read more here(external link).
Americas
United States De minimis removal
- Since Friday 29 August, the USD800 duty-free threshold for small parcels has ended (see Executive Order 14324(external link) and Fact Sheet(external link).) Tariffs apply to all shipments, however exemptions remain in place for gifts valued at less than USD100. Following this announcement NZ Post and postal services from other countries announced temporary suspensions to services to the United States. NZ Post has since announced a new arrangement for businesses to resume sending parcels; details are available directly from NZ Post(external link). Letters sent via economy and letters and documents sent via express are still able to be sent. NZ Post is also working to ensure other sending services to the US, such as the sending of personal gifts, can resume.
- Please check with your postal service provider directly about any changes they have made to sending to the US.
US Appeals Court Rules on Tariffs
- The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C has ruled in a 7–4 decision that President Trump’s global tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) are unlawful. The court clarified that while IEEPA empowers the president to address "national emergencies," it does not authorise sweeping tariffs or import taxes, reinforcing instead that such powers lie with Congress. The Court’s decision impacts the additional 15% tariffs that New Zealand exporters face but does not impact those under a different legal authority, such as the steel and aluminium tariffs. However, the tariffs will remain in effect until 14 October, allowing time for the Trump administration to file an appeal to the Supreme Court. In a Truth Social Post(external link) President Trump indicated that he would continue to use tariffs to pursue his economic agenda. Read more here(external link).
50% US tariffs on Indian Imports takes effect
- The United States tariffs of 50% on Indian imports took effect on Wednesday 27 August, citing India’s purchases of discounted Russian oil (see US Fact Sheet(external link) here). Until recently the US was India’s largest trading partner. Analysts warn the move could cut as much as one percentage point from India’s Gross Domestic Product, straining sectors that are vital for its export earnings and employment, with sectors such as textiles, jewellery, shrimp and carpets set to be the most impacted. Read more here(external link).
Chinese carmaker Great Wall Motors opens factory in Brazil
- On 18 August Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva officially opened Chinese carmaker Great Wall Motors’ first factory in Brazil, and in South America. In a post(external link) on X, President Lula stated that ‘with an investment of R$ 4 billion by 2026, including the new factory, the company will produce plug-in hybrid vehicles’. ‘A thousand direct jobs will be created by the end of 2026, with more than 100 local suppliers already registered.’
Brazil and Mexico sign cooperation agreements spanning various sectors
- On 29 August a Brazilian government delegation led by Vice President Geraldo Alckmin announced the signing of three memoranda of understanding between Brazil and Mexico. In a post on X(external link), Vice President Geraldo Alckmin shared that the agreements will cover ‘the production, use, regulation, and certification of biofuels’, the facilitation of ‘agricultural trade’, and the promotion of ‘commercial integration’.
North Asia
China Extends Beef Import Probe, Offers Temporary Relief to Global Suppliers
- China has extended its anti-dumping investigation into imported beef until 26 November, granting a temporary reprieve to global exporters amid efforts to address a domestic supply glut. The probe, which began in December 2024, applies broadly rather than targeting specific countries and comes as China’s beef imports dropped nearly 9.5% in the first half of 2025, following a record high in 2024. Trade experts say the extension offers breathing space for markets allowing time for Beijing to assess domestic recovery and engage in negotiations rather than immediately imposing quotas or tariffs. Read more here(external link).
Feedback
We welcome feedback from New Zealand exporters on this report and invite requests for reporting from New Zealand’s network of Embassies and High Commissions(external link). If you have suggestions on a topic you would like to hear more about, or to subscribe to this weekly update, you can sign up here(external link) or email us at exports@mfat.net
More reports
A full list of global economic round-ups can be found here(external link)
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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Learn more about exporting
New Zealand Trade & Enterprise’s comprehensive market guides(external link) cover export regulations, business culture, market-entry strategies and more.
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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