KEY POINTS:
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has been lobbying United States politicians to gain their support for free-trade talks, despite his party's scepticism over such deals in the past.
On his latest visit to Washington as Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Peters met Congressman Eni Faleomavaega and others to push New Zealand's case.
Mr Faleomavaega, chairman of the House foreign affairs sub-committee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment, said trade was Mr Peters' priority.
"That was the main issue we discussed, he was trying to see what the parameters might be ... on how we can establish a dialogue on doing a free-trade agreement with New Zealand," Mr Faleomavaega said.
"I was very upfront, as was Mr [Tom] Lantos, now chairman of the foreign affairs committee ... and the problem again when the Prime Minister David Lange overnight developed that policy of no-nukes."
National foreign affairs spokesman Murray McCully accused Mr Peters of "political schizophrenia" saying he had campaigned against trade deals in the past.
When Mr Peters took the foreign affairs portfolio after the 2005 election, the role of trade minister was separated out of the job and given to Labour's Phil Goff to ensure there was no conflict between the new roles.
Mr McCully said many NZ First supporters would see Mr Peters' trade advocacy as a "betrayal of faith".
Mr Peters' spokesman said the talks with the two congressmen were not the only time he lobbied for a trade deal with the US. "He always gives high priority to mention New Zealand's desire to advance discussions over a possible free-trade agreement with the US when he meets with American politicians.
"Winston's view is that a free-trade agreement with the US will be a significant boost to New Zealand's economy and he says to the American congressmen and senators that he talks to that the better performing our economy is, the more we can do to assist advance international interests that New Zealand and the US share."
Prime Minister Helen Clark's recent visit to Washington continued to see her press for free-trade talks.
Despite the Administration showing a warmer approach to New Zealand and displaying a willingness to put to one side disagreement over New Zealand's ban on nuclear ships, a trade deal with the US is not on the horizon.
Mr Faleomavaega indicated there were many in Congress who still saw the nuclear ban as a "betrayal" that would hinder passage of any trade bill.
- NZPA
