6. Export Sector—Exemption from US Steel TariffsHon TODD McCLAY (National—Rotorua) to the Minister for Trade and Export GrowthExport Sector—Exemption from US Steel Tariffs6. Hon TODD McCLAY (National—Rotorua) to the Minister for Trade and Export Growth: Does he believe the Government did all it could to avoid the imposition of tariffs by the United States on New Zealand steel and aluminium?Hon DAVID PARKER (Minister for Trade and Export Growth): Yes. Hon Todd McClay: Why then have the EU Canada Mexico South Korea Argentina Brazil and Australia all received exemptions from US steel tariffs yet he hasn't delivered one for New Zealand? Hon DAVID PARKER: We're in a similar position to Japan and a lot of other countries in that we have not secured an exemption as yet. We are continuing to seek one. The point of principle that lies behind the decisions that have been taken by the United States is hard to fathom. Hon Todd McClay: Why has he not travelled to Washington to make the case for New Zealand steel and aluminium producers to be exempt from US tariffs when the Australian trade Minister achieved a permanent exemption for Australian exporters following his visit? Hon DAVID PARKER: I'm flattered that the member thinks that I could achieve an exemption by visiting when Prime Minister Abe visited the United States last week and was unable to get one. I in fact did offer to go some weeks ago but I was advised by officials that it wouldn't make a difference and I think Prime Minister Abe's proven the point. Hon Todd McClay: When he pleaded to be judged by results not travel in a Stuff article on 17 April titled Trade Minister … pleads to be judged by results not his travel" does he believe that a trip to Washington would have helped deliver a result for the New Zealand steel and aluminium industry as it did for Australian exporters—SPEAKER: Order! The question's finished.Hon DAVID PARKER: I'm very confident that the Government's trade-success to kilometres-travelled ratio will be better than National's.Hon Todd McClay: When will he deliver an exemption from these unfair US tariffs as the EU Canada Mexico South Korea Argentina Brazil and Australia have done so that the New Zealand industry—SPEAKER: Order! Hon Todd McClay: —and the public can judge him—SPEAKER: The question's finished. Can I remind the member. I know that—well in fact I can't remember when the member came in and whether he has been in Opposition before but when the member's finished his question he should stop and not continue with an additional bit on the end. He had two legs; he's not allowed three.Hon DAVID PARKER: Well we don't know. We're continuing to try. Already the Prime Minister has written to the President of the US I've written to the US trade representative I've had a number of and continuing discussions with the US Ambassador to New Zealand and I've got another meeting coming too. At the instruction of the coalition Government our trade officials at all levels have been doing their utmost. That includes Ambassador Groser who will be known to the House as the former chief trade negotiator for New Zealand and a former trade Minister. I have been accepting the advice of officials as to the process to be taken as well as giving guidance and I think we have done all we can.Hon James Shaw: Is the reason why New Zealand doesn't have an exemption to the US steel tariffs because President Trump can't find New Zealand on a map?SPEAKER: Order! I'm not going to allow that question."