The bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and US President Donald Trump will be an opportunity to strengthen trade ties.

The $18 billion of annual trade currently split evenly between both countries is a platform on which both countries can build, said Auckland Business Chamber head Michael Barnett.

“The meeting will provide an opportunity to advance the case for a NZ-US Free Trade Agreement.

“I congratulate the Prime Minister on this visit – NZ’s third most important trading partner.”