With Donald Trump’s return to office and his well-known 'tariff-positive' policies, Australia and New Zealand are facing new challenges, and opportunities. Concerns have risen across both countries about how tariffs could limit access to the lucrative US market for traditional exports.
Source: PFN Archive - Trump Export Graphic
Both Australia and New Zealand have moved away from their historic reliance on UK and EU markets, to a more focused US export strategy. US companies, navigating domestic tariff pressures, are increasingly eager to access ANZ’s advanced technologies in food innovation.
For the region’s innovative plant-based and alternative protein sectors, this shift might be a golden opportunity to enhance collaborations with American companies and drive substantial growth. Advancing dialogue around free trade access for New Zealand and Australia could advance both countries economies at a time when a boost is required.
Dr Victoria Hatton, CEO of New Zealand-based FoodHQ, believes a strategic focus on innovation and agility could unlock immense potential for the alt-protein sector amid shifting trade dynamics. "An approach like this could play to New Zealand’s strength in research, science and innovation. We need to be more imaginative in how we approach the future of food, food production and food distribution. We must be more agile", says Victoria Hatton.
ANZ startups like NXW, which pioneers protein extraction from water, and Opo Bio and Daisy Lab, specialising in cultivated meat cells and precision fermentation, are perfectly positioned to meet American market demands for sustainable, cutting-edge food solutions. Australia's Magic Valley could also figure in what could perhaps be a joint ANZAC FTA with the US.
Source: Opo Bio -Cellular agriculture
"Opo Bio is a perfect example where the US consumer could enjoy the benefits of New Zealand meat, through the export of our livestock cell lines into the cellular agriculture industry". says Victoria Hatton.
As valued members of the Five Eyes and ANZUS alliances, Australia and New Zealand are well-placed to pursue a dedicated free trade agreement with the US. Such an arrangement could solidify market access for both countries, by-passing tariff constraints while strengthening collaborative ties in the growing alt-protein industry.
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