New Zealand's ambassador to the United States, Mike Moore, expects talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership will make progress, despite the Republicans again dominating the US House of Representatives.
The Republican party is considered less friendly to trade deals than the Democrats.
However, Mr Moore says key trade deals were reached successfully despite the Republicans having a majority in Congress over the past two years and he expects nothing will change.
He told Radio New Zealand's Morning Report programme that means talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership are expected to proceed as scheduled.
Delegates are expected to meet in Auckland in a few weeks.
Listen to Morning Report interview with Mike Moore