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US looking for "new legal base" to reintroduce tariff regime, Trade Minister says

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 4 Jun 2026, 8:04am
U.S. President Donald Trump looks on during a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on May 27, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
U.S. President Donald Trump looks on during a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on May 27, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

US looking for "new legal base" to reintroduce tariff regime, Trade Minister says

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 4 Jun 2026, 8:04am

The Trade Minister believes the US is simply looking for a new reason to reintroduce tariffs. 

The Trump administration announced a new 12.5% tariff on dozens of countries, including New Zealand, Australia, and many of our major trading partners. 

It's accusing us of not doing enough to prevent the importation of goods produced by forced labour. 

Todd McClay told Heather du Plessis-Allan he and his international counterparts are all of the same view. 

He says irrespective of what anyone has done, the US is putting the tariff regime back in place and looking for a new legal basis. 

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