Urgent Debates Declined — Government Response—Trump Administration Tariffs

I received a letter from the Hon Damien O’Connor seeking to debate under Standing Order 399 the Trump administration’s announcement of 10 percent baseline tariffs and the Government’s response to this announcement. There is no ministerial responsibility for announcements made by Governments of another country. From the authentication provided by the member, the New Zealand Government’s response has been to confirm an earlier statement ruling out retaliatory tariffs. An urgent debate is a way of debating matters that have occurred. The absence of action on the part of the Government is not a particular case of recent occurrence which can be raised for debate—Speakers’ rulings 222/2 and 222/4. The application is declined.