Touchpoint USA – Navigating USA for Trade, are we ok?

There is a constant change of US trade policy which affects New Zealand exporters and NZ US relations are changing with it.

Join Fiona Cooper – Executive Director NZ US Business Council, Mike Atkins – ASB Head of International Trade, and Stephen Jacobi, Executive Director – NZ International Business Forum who will outline the state of play in US trade policy following the announcement of decisions in Washington on 2 April.  In a roundtable conversation they will discuss with those present the implications for NZ and Hawke’s Bay exporters

Date: Friday 9^th May
Time: 11am – 12:30pm
Venue: Foodeast Haumako, 4 Hanui Road, Tomoana, Hastings

Meet the speakers:

Fiona Cooper rejoined the New Zealand United States Council as Executive Director in March 2024, having previously held the role from 2014-18. Fiona has worked in both the public and private sectors over the last 37 years. She has previously worked for the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum, Bank of New Zealand, Fonterra, NZ Dairy Board, New Zealand International Business Forum and the APEC Business Advisory Council (New Zealand chapter).

Her career began at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade including a trade policy posting at the New Zealand Embassy in Washington DC, a secondment to Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade in Canberra, and two secondments to Ministerial offices in the New Zealand Parliament. Fiona has a BA Hons in Politics from the University of Canterbury and received leadership training from INSEAD.

Mike Atkins is responsible for delivery of ASB’s international trade products and services to NZ business. Mike has over 40 years’ experience in the field of International Trade both from a corporate banking and external SME perspective; having developed overseas networks through trade missions and trade visits to the Americas and various Asian markets.

Mike holds a deep network across the NZ export community and is happy to connect businesses for the greater good. Mike’s involvement in this specialist area has also included training and advisory capacity for various Export Institutes, Export Agencies and Business Councils.

Stephen Jacobi is the Executive Director of the New Zealand International Business Forum. He also serves as Alternate Member of the APEC Business Advisory Council.

The New Zealand International Business Forum provides leadership to enable New Zealand business to exploit new opportunities in international markets. NZIBF works with businesses and other business organisations to implement key projects, including working to develop New Zealand’s key international business relationships.

Mr Jacobi has broad experience in industry and trade development.  He was formerly Chief Executive of the New Zealand Forest Industries Council, Executive Director of the NZ US Council 2005-2014 and Executive Director of the NZ China Council 2016-19, Mr Jacobi is a frequent media and public commentator on industry and trade issues.