Read NZIBF’s to the #IPEF Supply Chain Agreement announcement.
Non tariff barriers – a new frontier for trade policy.

A recent report from the forest industry[1] has drawn attention to the increasing prevalence of non tariff barriers (NTBs).
NTBs are the next frontier for trade policy. As tariffs are brought down through comprehensive trade agreements, governments tend to make greater use of non tariff measures (NTMs).
NTMs and NTBs are not the same thing. NTMs can be instituted for a range of public policy reasons – to protect human health, the environment or biosecurity. NTMs only become NTBs when they are more trade restrictive than necessary.
Some governments use NTMs/NTBs for protectionist reasons. When the measures apply only to imported products, or differentiate between trading partner, you can be fairly sure something is rotten in the state of Denmark.
Other NTBs are notoriously difficult to identify and even more to address. Compulsory standards, often not based on international norms or legitimate science; technical regulations requiring amendments to the way products are manufactured; testing regimes which require labyrinthine procedures; product approvals requiring inspection of individual premises – all these are examples of NTBs which frustrate New Zealand exports.
The forest industry is by no means alone in this. The food industry faces a large number of NTBs given that it deals with perishable products, traded across long supply chains. Manufacturing is also highly affected.
Other countries occasionally accuse New Zealand of maintaining NTBs. Our strict biosecurity regulations, applied for good reason, are often cited. Our regulations prohibiting the commercialisation of trout are less easily able to be defended.
What can be done about NTBs? Trade agreements like TPP seek to put in place new disciplines around the way regulations are made and thus restrict the scope of NTMs. The ability for trading partners to express their views on proposed measures before they are implemented is a case in point. That’s why the Government is saying that the greater benefit from TPP will come from addressing NTBs rather than reducing tariffs.
It’s also important for business to work closely with the Government to identify these NTBs. That’s why the work of the forest industry is welcome. Another example is the annual report published by the horticulture industry[2].
On the new frontier of trade policy we need all players to lend their shoulder to the wheel.
This post was prepared by Stephen Jacobi, Executive Director of the NZ International Business Forum.
REGISTER WITH TRADE WORKS
Register to stay up to date with latest news, as well as saving and discussing articles you’re interested in.
Latest News
IPEF SUPPLY CHAIN AGREEMENT – A USEFUL BUT MODEST STEP – BUSINESS FORUM
Media release, 29 May 2023 “Supply chains are the arteries of global trade – any moves to make them function more efficiently and make sure they are resilient in times of crisis are to be welcomed”, says NZIBF Executive Director Stephen Jacobi. Mr Jacobi was reacting...
SINGAPORE AND NEW ZEALAND – A MOST “FTA-ed” RELATIONSHIP
Stephen Jacobi continues his posts from his Singapore sojourn. Spending time in Singapore reminds me of the several visits I made in 2000-02 when I was serving as Private Secretary to Trade Minister Jim Sutton. Jim concluded the first free trade agreement with...
ADDRESS TO THE 52nd ONE STOP UPDATE FOR THE ACCOUNTANT IN BUSINESS
CHRISTCHURCH, WELLINGTON, AUCKLAND, MAY 2023 STEPHEN JACOBI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,NZ INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FORUM GLOBAL ECONOMIC UPDATE Thanks to our friends at Brightstar for having me back again to provide the global economic update. I’ll be talking at a macro level...
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 from the vantage point of this amazing trade hub of the Asia Pacific. From the sight from the plane of container ships – lots and lots of them – in the...
Asia Pacific Business Leaders Call for Forging a New Path on Inclusion, Resilience, and Sustainability
Bandar Seri Begawan, 30 April 2023 - APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) members this week urged APEC Trade Ministers to leverage the challenges facing the region, including environmental risks, financial stress and the cost-of-living crisis, as opportunities to...
Entry into force of FTA ushers in new era for NZ UK trade
Media release, 5 May 2023 The NZ International Business Forum (NZIBF) welcomes the announcement that the NZ UK Free Trade Agreement will enter into force on 31 May 2023. “When so many around the world are turning their back on trade liberalisation, New Zealand and the...
Remarks to ASEAN Business Council Webinar, 26 April 2023
REMARKS TO ASEAN NZ BUSINESS COUNCIL WEBINAR, 26 APRIL 2023 STEPHEN JACOBI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WHEN ELEPHANTS FIGHT - US/CHINA TENSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR ASEAN It’s great to join this webinar with my good friend Siah Hwee Ang. Thanks to the ASEAN NZ Business...
Business Forum welcomes report’s strategic approach to Indian market
Media release, 27 April 2023 The NZ International Business Forum (NZIBF) welcomes the discussion document India & New Zealand, A Relationship Ready For Its Next Phase released today by the India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC). “INZBC and the report’s authors...
Remarks to Confederation of Indian Industry Partnership Summit, New Delhi, 15 March 2023
"The Future of Multilateralism" by Stephen Jacobi, NZIBF Executive Director Namaskar Tēnā koutou katoa – greetings to you all in the language of the Māori people of Aotearoa New Zealand. It is an honour for me to speak to such a distinguished gathering today....
AMIDST THE STORM: ABAC MEETS IN AUCKLAND
Perhaps a cyclone was after all a fitting backdrop for the meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) which was held in Auckland on 12-14 February – the global environment against which the meeting took place is decidedly stormy. In the event the wind...
Asia-Pacific business leaders call for action on climate and economic inclusion
APEC NEWS RELEASE Issued by The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Auckland, 14 February 2023 - Members of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) met in Auckland, New Zealand this week to develop a work plan that calls on policymakers to leverage trade and...
ASIA-PACIFIC BUSINESS LEADERS GATHERING IN AUCKLAND, 12-14 FEBRUARY 2023
Media Release - 8 February 2023 Equity, sustainability and opportunity are key themes of one of the largest gatherings of senior Asia-Pacific business leaders held in New Zealand for some time. The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) is due to meet in Tāmaki...
A YEAR FOR RECONNECTING
As I write this end of year dispatch, NZIBF is preparing to host the first meeting for 2023 of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). We are looking forward to welcoming the 200 or so business leaders and senior officials from APEC member economies across the...
MAJOR GATHERING OF ASIA-PACIFIC BUSINESS LEADERS TO BE HELD IN AUCKLAND, 12-14 FEBRUARY 2023
Media Release - 14 December 2022 Sustainability, digitalisation and resilient, inclusive trade will be key themes of a major gathering of senior Asia-Pacific business leaders to be held in Auckland early next year – the first such event to be held in New Zealand...
NZ Herald: Time to lift our game in India
Following his recent visit to India our Executive Director Stephen Jacobi penned this article advocating a more strategic approach to the further development of the relationship. The article was published by the NZ Herald on 9 December.