NZ presses case for free trade deal with US

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WELLINGTON, Sept 10 (AFP): New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark pressed her country's case for a free trade deal with the US today, saying it would benefit both countries.
Relations between the two countries have warmed in the last couple of years despite a continuing disagreement over New Zealand's 1985 ban on nuclear weapons and power which soured the relationship for two decades.
"Studies show that an FTA would be beneficial for both of us," Clark told the forum.
"It would also be a logical extension of our strong shared commitment to freeing up trade in the WTO and APEC contexts."
But Clark acknowledged that New Zealand did not expect a free trade deal to be agreed upon soon.
New Zealand has recognised that other countries are ahead of it in the queue for a free trade deal with Washington, but has continued to press its case, especially since Australia signed a deal with the US in 2005.