Trump’s Kiwi Act a ‘big boost’ to NZ firms: PM
Donald Trump has signed a distinctly Kiwi law that will give New Zealand business travellers easier access to the United States.
The US Congress and President Trump have thrown their support behind the Knowledgeable Innovators and Worthy Investors Act, also called the ‘‘Kiwi Act’’.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, on her first day back at work after six weeks’ maternity leave, welcomed the signing of the act by Trump.
The law gives New Zealanders access to E1 and E2 visas, which allow businesspeople to enter the US multiple times over two years without having to apply for a new visa each time.
It also has an option to renew their visa on a rolling basis.
The White House has published the new law on its website. The law, officially called S. 2245, ‘‘makes New Zealand nationals eligible to enter the United States as nonimmigrant traders and investors provided New Zealand grants reciprocal treatment to US nationals’’, the website says.
The act would increase trade and investment between the US and New Zealand, Ardern said. ‘‘Lack of E1 and E2 visas has been a major issue for New Zealand businesspeople wanting to access the US market. This act will be a big boost to New Zealand businesses.’’
New Zealand officials would work with the US Congress to ensure it was implemented as soon as possible, so New Zealanders could start applying for the visas, Ardern said.
BusinessNZ chief executive Kirk Hope said easier access to the US would help New Zealand businesses expend or maintain their markets in the US. New Zealand businesses earning US dollars was good for the economy back home, he said. Also, greater access to the US would result in increased demand for New Zealand goods and services, he said. Auckland company RPM International manufactures press tools and has clients in the US, including in Chicago.
RPM manufacturing director Peter Smith said not having to apply for a visa each time would make life easier when doing business in the US.
‘‘We don’t go over that often. Every time we do go over we have to apply for another visa.’’
Having a visa that stretched over two years would save a lot of time and hassle, he said.
However, Smith also wanted clarity from Trump about how far his steel tariff would extend.
In May the US made some of its allies, such as Australia, exempt from paying an import tax on steel and aluminium. But New Zealand missed the cut along with South Africa and Japan.
Smith said it was not clear whether the tariff would apply to processed steel, like what RPM exports.