Trade Minister Todd McClay believes it is unlikely New Zealand will be impacted by Donald Trump's Iran tariff warning for businesses, but officials will keep an eye on the situation. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Trade Minister Todd McClay believes it is unlikely New Zealand will be impacted by Donald Trump's Iran tariff warning for businesses, but officials will keep an eye on the situation. Photo / Mark Mitchell
The Trade Minister has instructed New Zealand officials in Washington DC to monitor developments stemming from a social media post by US President Donald Trump claiming any country doing business with Iran would pay a hefty tariff on trade with the US.
Trump’s comments haven’t been followed by anydetail by the White House, including what specific countries will be impacted, whether the tariffs would apply on top of those already enforced by the US Administration, or how they would be implemented.
Todd McClay, New Zealand’s Trade and Investment Minister, told the Herald there was little information available other than what the US President had said on social media.
“I have instructed officials in Washington to monitor the situation closely; however, it seems unlikely NZ would be captured by any US measures given our goods trade with Iran is near non-existent at 0.0019% of our exports.”
According to Statistics NZ, in the year to September 2025, New Zealand exported $30.62 million worth of goods and services to Iran and imported $16.89m. The $47.52m total trade value would rank Iran as 98th among New Zealand’s trading partners.
The United Nations Sanctions (Iran) Regulations 2025 puts obligations on people in New Zealand when engaging with Iran, including prohibiting dealing with some individuals and keeping business records for at least seven years. There are import, export and procurement bans relating to nuclear weapons, missiles, enrichment-related goods and arms.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade advises anyone looking to do business with Iran to obtain independent legal advice due to the scope of the regulations. From February this year, anyone intending to do business with Iran will be required to register.
“The compulsory registration scheme is designed to ensure that legitimate trade with Iran can continue, and that those engaging in such trade exercise the necessary degree of vigilance.”
In his social media post, Trump said: “Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America”.
“This Order is final and conclusive. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
China, which is Iran’s largest trading partner, reacted severely to the comments of tariffs by Trump. An official at its Washington DC embassy said Beijing would “take all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests”.
Demonstrations have been ongoing for weeks. Photo / Getty Images
Trump has been attempting to increase pressure on the Iranian regime as nationwide rallies there engulf the Middle Eastern country. According to human rights groups, hundreds have been killed amid a violent crackdown by authorities.
The protests, sparked by economic woes, have been encouraged by Trump. He wrote on social media that “Iranian Patriots” should continue demonstrating and “help is on the way”. He has previously threatened military action if authorities used lethal force.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters last week said New Zealand was “gravely concerned by reported killing of protestors in Iran” and called on the Iranian security forces “to refrain from violence”. He stressed that Government advice was not to travel to Iran.
Jamie Ensor is the NZ Herald’s Chief Political Reporter, based in the Press Gallery at Parliament. He was previously a TV reporter and digital producer in the Newshub Press Gallery office. He was a finalist in 2025 for Political Journalist of the Year at the Voyager Media Awards.
