Nicola Willis said she is aware that some exporters are worried about the impact the move could have on them. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The Minister of Finance and Economic Growth says the government will make the case for continuing trade access to the US.
President Donald Trump's tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China have sparked retaliation from all three countries.
Nicola Willis told First Up that while Aotearoa is not directly affected, she is aware that some exporters are worried about the impact the move could have on them.
She says the government will protect free trade and engage respectfully with the US.
"It's in our interests to have trade flowing through the world and to be driving a growth agenda," she said.
"So we will engage respectfully with the US. It's up to them to determine their own policy positions and for us to put forward our case for what's best for New Zealanders."
Willis says the government is confident it can pursue New Zealand's best interests with the US administration.
"We've had a lot of engagement with the new administration at officials level; the Prime Minister has spoken to the president and Winston Peters as Foreign Minister with his counterpart," Trade Minister Todd McClay told Morning Report.
He agreed fallout from a potential trade war would not be good for the global economy and there would be implications for New Zealand exporters.
"What our exporters are saying to me is they want us to be making the case to the US of how balanced our trade is, that it is complementary and that there are ways we can grow trade between the two nations that is good for both of their economies - that is very much where the focus will be to stand with."
He added: "We have a very clear call, as we have when others have looked to put tariffs against each other, that they don't work and they are harmful, and that negotiation and discussion is important."
News that tariffs against Mexico had this morning been suspended was "positive", he said.
"I think it's clear that President Trump wants something to happen with his borders, and I think that discussion over the next month that the European Union, or Canada should be having with the US, can be a way forward."
US President Donald Trump speaks to journalists in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on 30 January, 2025. Photo: AFP
On Tuesday morning (NZT) Trump announced he had agreed to "immediately pause" tariffs on Mexico for a month after a "very friendly" conversation with the country's president Claudia Sheinbaum.
"I just spoke with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico. It was a very friendly conversation wherein she agreed to immediately supply 10,000 Mexican Soldiers on the Border separating Mexico and the United States," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
"These soldiers will be specifically designated to stop the flow of fentanyl, and illegal migrants into our Country," he wrote.
"We further agreed to immediately pause the anticipated tariffs for a one month period during which we will have negotiations headed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and high-level Representatives of Mexico. I look forward to participating in those negotiations, with President Sheinbaum, as we attempt to achieve a "deal" between our two Countries," the president went on.
The 25% tariffs on Mexico had been set to take effect at midnight.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
