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title: Global Trade Update March – Middle East shipping disruption and US tariff ruling
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 This month: From fuel and freight to funding and workforce tools, here’s your latest update on challenges and opportunities in Global trade. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­    ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

| View in browser↗ SUPPORT SERVICES     WHAT'S ON    CONTACT Global Trade Update - April 2026 Kia ora As another eventful month in global trade comes to a close, businesses around the world continue to navigate geopolitical uncertainty, disrupted freight routes and shifting cost pressures. Recent developments in the Middle East including today’s agreed two‑week ceasefire and the ten point proposal - are being closely watched for what they may signal for regional stability and global supply chains. We’ve been working hard to keep members informed as conditions evolve, including through our Middle East updates page, where we share timely insights into what these developments could mean for local businesses.   Closer to home, Canterbury businesses are doing what they have always done best; adapting, innovating and getting on with it. From diversifying export markets and adopting digital trade tools, to strong collaboration across logistics, the region continues to show resilience and quiet momentum. As always, I would welcome your feedback on how we can best support you in the months ahead.   Thanks Charmaine 🌍 Middle East conflict and global supply chains Global tensions in the Middle East are continuing to affect shipping routes, delivery timelines, and input costs, with impacts flowing through supply chains, freight, and fuel pricing. While many businesses remain operational, disruption is building and being felt unevenly across sectors, particularly in manufacturing, logistics, and businesses reliant on imported materials.   To support businesses through this period, we’ve created a dedicated Middle East Updates page with the latest developments, practical guidance, and key information on what this means for your operations. More resources and tools are coming soon, so keep an eye on the page for ongoing updates and support. 📣 What We’re Hearing from Industry Over the past fortnight, we’ve been working with members, MBIE and Minister Penk’s office to understand how the evolving fuel situation is affecting the Canterbury businesses.   While many businesses remain close to business as usual, pressure is building and impacts are not being felt evenly across our members, particularly manufacturers.   For some manufacturing firms, the impact remains manageable. For others - particularly those exposed to imported raw materials, freight-intensive operations, fuel-intensive logistics, and plastics and other petrochemical-linked inputs, pressures are already significant and increasing.   Early impacts continue to centre on: Rising freight and shipping costs Fuel price increases (diesel up ~15–18%) Shipping delays and surcharges Early margin pressure Increasing uncertainty around supply continuity and input availability. Most firms have not yet materially adjusted investment or hiring, although caution is increasing. The key risk remains duration. If disruption extends beyond 4–6 weeks, impacts are expected to increase materially across logistics, working capital, input costs, and supply chains. Member-to-Member Offers Looking to reduce your business costs? Don't forget to check out our member offers to help you navigate disruption and reduce costs. Save on fuel, phones, employment advice and much more. View Offers → 💡 Manufacturing Futures Forum: Funding and Growth Pathways Highlights We were pleased to host a group of Canterbury manufacturers for our recent Manufacturing Futures forum. This invaluable event highlighted a range of tools available to help businesses invest in growth, strengthen capability, and unlock new opportunities, from practical funding pathways to workforce and innovation support. The event's key themes included - Funding and capital options - from R&D tax incentives and grants to strategic investment and growth capital Innovation support - practical pathways to connect with research, graduate talent, and R&D expertise Workforce capability - training, apprenticeships, and support to build future-ready teams Real-world growth insights - lessons from manufacturers navigating expansion, productivity, and technology adoption If you're interested in receiving these resources, let us know. 📰 Quick Links - Industry News Middle East Trade & Business page - to keep you up to date and direct you to the latest information, from Business Canterbury India FTA - The FTA still has several steps to complete, so the start date for its benefits is not yet confirmed, MFAT Catch up on the MFAT Weekly Global Economic Report – 31 March 2026 Canterbury News: Canterbury tops economic survey, Canterbury has outperformed the rest of the country in employment, retail spending; New high-tech Enatel manufacturing plant opens Overseas merchandise trade Report for February 2026: Goods exports rose by $27 million, Stats NZ EECA Demand flexible heavy vehicle charging demonstration , offers co-funding to test smart, flexible charging tech for heavy electric vehicles 📆 Highlights from the Calendar Tue 5 May Business Planning to Maximise Value  Half day session. Learn More → Fri 8 May Westpac Smarts Building a Smarter Business: Planning for the AI Era Morning session. Learn More → Thu 18 Jun Business Canterbury's Prime Minister’s Lunch 2026 Midday lunch. Save the Date → As always, if there’s anything affecting your business that you’d like to chat through, give us a shout, we’re here to help you and your team.     Charmaine Visser Business Advisor - Global Trade charmainev@businesscanterbury.co.nz Mobile 021 226 7796   Business Canterbury, 57 Kilmore Street, Christchurch, Canterbury 8013, Freecall 0800 50 50 96, email info@businesscanterbury.co.nz   Like to change how you receive our emails? Click here to update your preferences, choose specific subscriptions, or unsubscribe from all emails. |
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| Thanks to our Global Trade Partners |
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