The new 12.5% US tariff could replace the existing 10% rate next month.

Most New Zealand exports to the US already face a blanket global tariff rate of 10 percent, which was imposed after an earlier tariff was deemed illegal by the US Supreme Court.

Most New Zealand exports, except a few, already faced a 10 percent import tariff to the multi-billion-dollar market.

The new 12.5% US tariff could replace the existing 10% rate next month.