Helen Clark and George Bush held talks in Washington today. Photo / Reuters
The United States has higher trade priorities than New Zealand, Helen Clark said after meeting George Bush today.
The Prime Minister said New Zealand has to be realistic about the possibility of achieving a free trade agreement (FTA) with the US and she is not gong to push
the issue too hard in Washington.
Speaking after a formal meeting with President George W Bush, followed by lunch in the White House, Miss Clark said domestic politics was making the environment difficult.
"President Bush has higher trade priorities," she told reporters.
"He has a number of free trade deals that he is waiting for Congress to ratify, and other talks that are nearing completion.
"This isn't the time for the US to be actually adding anyone to the list."
Miss Clark said she had strongly registered New Zealand's interest "if at such a point it becomes possible to open up a negotiating queue".
New Zealand has been seeking an agreement with the US, its second largest trading partner, for several years but has not yet been able to get on the list.
Miss Clark said President Bush was frustrated by the difficulties in progressing free trade agreements.
He will lose his ability to fast-track trade talks mid-year, when Congress will hold much stronger influence over the outcome of negotiations.
Miss Clark said she had raised the FTA issue with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at a meeting yesterday, and with members of Congress.
She also discussed it with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.
"We haven't come here with an expectation that negotiations would open, that's never been the case.
"But our approach has always been not if, but when. We haven't necessarily seen progress out of this visit, but we will," she said after meeting Ms Pelosi yesterday.
- NZPA
