New Zealand pushes to scrap tariffs on vaccines
(VOVWORLD) - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern wants to use New Zealand's time in the diplomatic spotlight to quickly eliminate tariffs on vaccines, syringes, and other medical supplies, with her nation arguing the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed trade barriers that are potentially damaging to human health.
She will also demand nations accelerate the passage of life-saving vaccines across international borders. Ms. Ardern is the host leader of this year's APEC summit, a gathering of 21 Asia-Pacific economies that include Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Russia and the United States.
NZ's chief APEC negotiator Vangelis Vitalis said the summit would aim to make practical and potentially long-lasting changes to trade cooperation. He said NZ hoped APEC members' trade ministers would move to eliminate the tariffs when they meet next month, ahead of the leaders meeting in November.