President Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China has consequences for the whole world. Further such action may be in the pipeline. Read our initial assessment from Stephen Jacobi.
Trade Working Blog
Featured Articles

THE NEXT BIG IDEA – THE SOUTHERN LINK
If New Zealand is serious about doubling export value in the next ten years then we need some really big, new ideas. Doing more of the same, not that there is anything wrong with that, is just going to deliver the same result. Enter an idea whose time has...

TIES THAT BIND – EXPANDING CER TO ASEAN
For New Zealand to pay more attention to the economies of ASEAN (the ten-member Association of South East Asian nations) makes sense, particularly at a time when doing business around the world is tough and when we need all of our international connections to deliver...

SPOTLIGHT ON SUBSIDIES
With much of the world turning inwards and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in a parlous state, it could be tempting to relax New Zealand’s long-term struggle to rid the world of trade-distorting, environmentally harmful and financially wasteful subsidies. Not...
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2023 – Steps forward and back
Trade liberalisation moved forward and backward in 2023. Some notable gains have been achieved...

Of APEC, CPTPP and IPEF
While New Zealand was sorting out its new Government, the alphabet soup which is trade got a good...

GUEST BLOG: Raewyn Bleakley, Chief Executive, New Zealand Food and Grocery Council
Exporting is an important part of the business of many NZFGC members whose brands we see daily on...

INDIA AND NEW ZEALAND: GETTING ONTO THE FRONT FOOT
Image Credit: Patrick Case, Pexels A 50 person business delegation is about to depart for...

CER CELEBRATES A RUBY ANNIVERSARY
The Australia-New Zealand Leadership, the semi-annual gathering of Ministers and business leaders,...

IN SINGAPORE, “M” STANDS FOR MULTILATERALISM
In another post from Singapore, Stephen Jacobi addresses questions of regional security. Since...

SINGAPORE AND NEW ZEALAND – A MOST “FTA-ed” RELATIONSHIP
Stephen Jacobi continues his posts from his Singapore sojourn. Spending time in Singapore reminds...

RESILIENT SUPPLY CHAINS – FROM THE 9th CENTURY TO THE 21st
I am spending some extended time in Singapore. This gives me the opportunity to see things...

AMIDST THE STORM: ABAC MEETS IN AUCKLAND
Perhaps a cyclone was after all a fitting backdrop for the meeting of the APEC Business Advisory...
NZ/GCC FREE TRADE AGREEMENT – EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE GULF
Big breakthrough for exports to the Gulf – a NZ/GCC FTA 17 years in the making.
TIES THAT BIND – EXPANDING CER TO ASEAN
Stephen Jacobi discusses expanding CER to ASEAN, based on his remarks he gave at an ASEAN NZ Business Council agri-business event, hosted by ANZ Bank.
NZ/UAE CEPA: A VALUABLE STEP FORWARD IN GULF – BUSINESS FORUM
NZIBF is pleased to welcome the conclusion of the NZ/UAE CEPA – a useful boost for exporters at a difficult time.
SPOTLIGHT ON SUBSIDIES
Agricultural subsidies by OECD members and major emerging economies have reached the level of USD 851 billion a year. They are not only financially wasteful, they are distorting global trade and impacting negatively on the environment. Some new research casts light on this perennial problem for NZ dairy trade. We need some creative thinking to level the playing field. NZIBF Executive Director Stephen Jacobi writes a blog for TradeWorks.
Address to NZ Apples and Pears Inc Conference, 30 July
Stephen Jacobi gave a geo-political, trade and consumer update at the NZ Apples and Pears Inc Conference.
NON TARIFF BARRIERS – “YOU ARE NOT ALONE”
Executive Director of NZIBF Stephen Jacobi discusses NTBs at the Red Meat Sector Conference.
INTERNATIONAL TREATY EXAMINATION OF THE AGREEMENT ON THE INDO-PACIFIC ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK FOR PROSPERITY
Submission to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee on the International Examination of the Agreement on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity
Sourcing from the world’s factory – new research report into imports from China
There are very few strategic risks to New Zealand from our current levels of exposure to imports from China, concludes a new report from the New Zealand China Council, co-sponsored by NZIBF.
ADDRESS TO THE 54TH ONE STOP UPDATE FOR THE ACCOUNTANT IN BUSINESS – GLOBAL ECONOMIC UPDATE
Stephen Jacobi gives a global economic update for the accountant in business.
APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Joint Statement 2024
2024 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Joint Statement