The United States has appointed a new representative for talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Michael Froman is the US president's international economic affairs adviser and will lead the US in negotiating a trade deal with New Zealand and other nations.
The aim to is conclude talks by the end of this year.
New Zealand-United States Council executive director Stephen Jacobi says Mr Froman has the skills and attribures to help achieve that.
Mr Jacobi says the new US representative will also have the difficult task of sealing a trade agreement with Europe and breathing life into stalled world trade talks.
