Some of New Zealand's biggest exporters to the US are trying to come to grips with what exactly the Trump administration's new tariffs will mean to them.

Goods from New Zealand will have a 10 percent tariff applied when sent to the US.

Last year the US surpassed Australia to become New Zealand's second-largest export destination, with trade nearly doubling over the past decade to $9 billion.

Meat Industry Association CEO Sirma Karapeeva said the new tariff was not a surprise, she said it was a shame.

"It is disappointing that we're caught up in this tariff… given that we are longstanding trade partners to the United States and our products are very complementary to their needs and a key ingredient into the manufacturing of hamburger patties Americans love to eat."

New Zealand's meat export value to the US was estimated at $2.7 billion in 2024, and the association projected the new tariffs could increase costs 17-fold compared to what was currently being paid.

Karapeeva said New Zealand was still relatively competitive compared with countries that were facing even higher tariffs, and the bigger question was what effect the sweeping tariffs could have on competition in other global markets.

"I'm sure that the officials and ministers are doing all that they can to argue against the imposition of these tariffs and to mitigate or minimise the negative impact of them as much as possible," she told Morning Report on Friday. "It is disappointing, as I said, that we are caught by this, and particularly so because I don't believe that New Zealand was even the target of these actions. We just got swept in with the rest of the world.”

Ultimately who would pay the extra costs would depend on exporters' contracts with importers, or whether businesses could absorb the costs or be forced to pass it on, Karapeeva said.

"Some may choose to absorb it domestically, some may choose to pass it on to the importer, and the importer themselves may decide to absorb it or pass it on to consumers. So it's really hard to give you a one-size-fits-all kind of answer."

Dairy Companies Association CEO Kimberly Crewther said the announcement was disappointing, particularly given that the US already had far higher tariffs on dairy products it imported compared to the tariffs New Zealand charges.

She said while they were waiting for the finer details of how the new tariffs will be implemented, she understood the 10 percent tariff will come on top of existing tariffs - and it was difficult to say what the impacts would be.

New Zealand Winegrowers CEO Philip Gregan took the issue in his stride.

"It could have been worse, but you know, 10 percent is still 10 percent and we'll have to live with the consequences."

Gregan said New Zealand exported $750 million worth of wine each year to the US, which meant potentially $75 million in tariffs. He was confident the appeal of New Zealand's product would withstand the challenge, suggesting the costs would be passed on to consumers.

Economist and lecturer at AUT Professor Niven Winchester said New Zealand had been hit by relatively low tariffs compared to the EU and China, and that might give us advantages in certain areas. He predicted there would not be a direct big impact on New Zealand's industries, but the knock-on effects on the global economy would be felt.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon believed New Zealand was well-positioned to weather the tariffs and would not respond in kind.