New Zealand has signed trade agreements with Switzerland, Costa Rica, and Iceland to eliminate tariffs on hundreds of environmental products, a measure aimed at addressing climate change and sustainability challenges. Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay stated that the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS) will particularly benefit New Zealand’s wool industry.
“ACCTS will open new markets for New Zealand exporters and grow in benefit over time as more countries join,” McClay said.
The agreement will remove tariffs on over 300 environmental goods, including solar panels, wind and hydraulic turbines, electric vehicles, wool fibre, recycled paper, electric static converters, and wood products. Norway is also considering joining the agreement, the government noted.