The Trade Minister is playing down New Zealand's chances of getting an exemption to Donald Trump's 10% tariffs. 

The Trump administration says it's imposing the tariffs in response to our 20% tariff on US goods. 

Todd McClay says our average tariff on US goods is actually less than 2%, and the 20% figure appears to be based on the trade balance between our countries last year. 

He told Mike Hosking we may be able to correct their record, but we probably won't be able to change their minds. 

McClay says even if New Zealand officials can make their case to the US counterparts, the minimum base rate for tariffs remains at 10%. 

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