New Zealand, Australia speak with EU, others about bolstering free trade against US tariffs

FILE PHOTO: New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon attends the 19th East Asia Summit (EAS) at the National Convention Centre, in Vientiane, Laos, October 11, 2024. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo

WELLINGTON/SYDNEY (Reuters) - New Zealand and Australia said on Thursday they are each working with other nations on a possible joint response to shore up free trade against a barrage of U.S. tariffs.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand said he had spoken with the leaders of Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia, as well as the head of the European Union's executive about international trade cooperation.