A United States politician says New Zealand and the US are moving closer towards a free trade agreement.
Republican senator Richard Shelby met Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Parliament on Thursday morning.
He says they talked about the state of the world economy and trade.
Senator Shelby says he would like to see a free trade deal with New Zealand, and says that may be more likely if John McCain wins this year's Presidential election.
He described the relationship between the United States and New Zealand as good, and growing.
He also thanked Mr Peters for the participation of New Zealand Defence Force personnel in Afghanistan.
Mr Shelby says the credit crunch facing his country is a concern but the problem can be solved.
"The market will have to work a lot of this out. I'd say we're about a third into it but in 2009 maybe we will work it out," he said.
