There are fears a mood of protectionism in the United States amid a deepening recession could delay a New Zealand-US Free Trade Agreement.
Talks on a Free Trade Agreement with the United States could begin as early as next month.
However, New Zealand United States Council chair Jim Bolger says US fears over the deepening recession are likely to delay the agreement.
A $US800 billion stimulus bill, now before the United States Senate, has drawn international criticism for a "Buy American" clause it contains.
It would allow only US-made iron, steel and manufactured goods to be used in public projects funded by the package.
The White House has said it is rewriting the Buy American part of the bill, and US President Barack Obama has told US media that he did not want to include measures that would signal protectionism
Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce chief executive Peter Townsend says local exporters are worried about the stimulus bill's impact.
International Business Forum executive director Stephen Jacobi says the US does not produce enough steel and other materials for its own needs.
He says the US Chamber of Commerce knows this and vigorously opposes protectionism.
