Tariffs Not Wanted

Tariffs Not Wanted, Here Or Against Our Exports Overseas

New Zealand business in general is against loading duties onto imported goods but equally against overseas firms dumping products in our market, says Alasdair Thompson, chief executive of the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern). He was commenting on the decision to impose dumping duty on Korean refrigerators.

"We don't want to see tariffs placed on our goods going into export markets no more than we want to see them on goods imported here," Mr Thompson said.

"But we are all for fair trade.

"Some importers have to get real. They can't expect to bring in highly subsidised products to compete with local goods which are made with extremely low or no subsidies.

"If dumped goods were allowed to compete with locally made goods, we would shoot ourselves in the foot by putting people out of work who are the potential customers for both local and imported goods.

"Imposing anti-dumping duties are consistent with WTO rules for fair trade internationally and we fully support that and welcome the Minister's decision."

Further comment: Alasdair Thompson tel 09 367 0911

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