China will remove tariffs on paper and wood products coming from New Zealand. The tax cut will be implemented starting April 7.
The Ministry of Finance said on Sunday, April 3, that the move is part of China's upgrade to the free trade agreement between Wellington and Beijing meant to get rid of the tariffs for 12 wood and paper products that are imported from New Zealand.
As per Reuters, NZ and China signed a deal in January to improve their existing free trade pact. They planned to allow 99% of the former's $3 billion wood and paper trade to China to be free of tariffs within a 10-year period.
With the tax cut on the items such as toilet paper and writing papers, tariffs will be reduced to 6.8% and 4.5% from 7.5% and five percent of previous duties. The reduction will be carried over the next 10 years until it reaches zero.
"2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China and New Zealand, and April 7 is the 14th anniversary of the signing of the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA)," the Ministry of Finance said in a statement. "The implementation of the agreed tariff rates will further promote trade and investment between the two countries."
It was reported that since 2008, when China and New Zealand signed the free trade agreement, the former had already eliminated or reduced tax on 75 wood and paper products for the latter.
New Zealand's Gisborne Herald reported that Tairawhiti's forestry industry in the country is welcoming the upgrade to the New Zealand-China FTA. The improvement has been confirmed the Damien O'Connor, NZ's Minister for Trade and Export Growth. He said that the final step for the upgrade was signed in January of last year, and it is set to be implemented this week.
"The upgrade also includes new market access commitments in goods and services, and additional trade facilitation measures," O'Connor said in a statement. "In terms of goods, the upgrade will deliver further market access improvements, resulting in tariff-free access for 99 percent of New Zealand's $4 billion wood and paper trade to China, once fully implemented. Our existing FTA will also be augmented by new chapters in e-commerce, competition policy, government procurement, and the environment."


Chinese Universities with PLA Ties Found Purchasing Restricted U.S. AI Chips Through Super Micro Servers
Cathay Pacific Holds Firm on Flight Capacity Amid Middle East Conflict and Rising Fuel Costs
Oil Prices Climb as Middle East Conflict Keeps Supply Risks Elevated
Apple Turns 50: From Garage Startup to AI Crossroads
SpaceX Eyes Historic IPO at $1.75 Trillion Valuation
Europe's Aviation Sector on Track to Meet 2025 Green Fuel Mandate
Gulf War Ceasefire Hopes Weigh on Dollar Ahead of Trump Address
Trump's Iran War Speech Sparks Market Anxiety Over Extended Conflict
TSMC Japan's Second Fab to Produce 3nm Chips by 2028
Asian Stocks Surge on Trump's Iran War Comments and Dip-Buying
Annie Altman Amends Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman
Eli Lilly and Insilico Medicine Forge $2.75 Billion AI-Driven Drug Discovery Deal
U.S. Dollar Posts Strong Monthly Gain Amid Middle East Conflict Despite Late Dip
Oil Prices Surge Over $5 as Trump Vows to Continue Iran Strikes
Dollar Surges to Monthly High as Middle East Conflict Rattles Global Markets
Luxury Car Sales in the Middle East Take a Hit Amid Iran War
McDonald's and Restaurant Brands International Face Headwinds Amid Iran Conflict and Rising Costs 



