US senators want Bush to back NZ trade deal

Two United States senators have written to President George Bush to encourage him to start free trade talks with New Zealand.

Trade Minister Phil Goff said he welcomed the letter by Senators John McCain and John Sununu.

The pair, who visited New Zealand in January, urged President Bush to go forward with free trade agreement negotiations and highlighted the benefits it would give the US.

"Senator McCain has long supported the launch of free trade agreement negotiations with New Zealand," Mr Goff said.

Mr McCain was one of 19 senators to sign a letter to President Bush in March 2003 pushing for negotiations.

"It's good to see he is continuing to be active on this front and that John Sununu has joined him."

Support has also come from other areas. "The Friends of New Zealand Congressional Caucus, which has almost 70 members, started over a year ago and has, as part of its objective, launching FTA negotiations with us," Mr Goff said.

"And there is very strong support from US corporates, including the likes of Boeing, FedEx, EDS and Caterpillar, as well as the backing from key sectoral groups like the National Association of Manufacturers and the US Chamber of Commerce."

Mr Goff said US Trade Representative Rob Portman had been sympathetic to New Zealand's case but larger economies had been talked to first.

A recent launch of free trade area negotiations with Malaysia and South Korea left limited time before the expiry of the current Trade Promotion Authority for other FTA negotiations to commence.

"New Zealand will, however, continue to press its case as a short and medium-term priority with the United States. This will be on the agenda during my April visit to attend the Partnership Forum in Washington," Mr Goff said.

- NZPA