Key takes lead in trade talks

Trade talks on the Trans Pacific Partnership deal seem to be back on track with a helping hand from John Key.

The Prime Minister took a leading role in today's crucial meeting between some of the world's most powerful people, including Barack Obama and Julia Gillard.

Mr Key walked out of the meeting, held at the East Asia Summit in Cambodia, with a smile on his face.

He says it was an extremely positive meeting.

"It's fair to say that the President (of the United States) was trying to send a clear that he's totally committed behind TPP, he wants to see the deal concluded.

"The leaders agreed that we would try and get a negotiated agreement by the end of 2013."

A private meeting between John Key and his "good friend" President Barack Obama was also held this morning.

Apparently the fuschia shirt worn by the Prime Minister at a gala dinner in Cambodia last night sparked a conversation with the President, which led to this morning's meeting.

It appears the thorny issue of Kim Dotcom was raised, although a tetchy Prime Minister refused to go into details.

The pair had about 20 minutes to privately chat about a "wide range of issues".

Mr Key says it is not his habit to go into details about what the pair discussed.

He said he had no say in the choice of shirt, but he is being diplomatic about it.

"That could be another diplomatic incident I can't afford but I'm going to describe it as fetching, which is broadly along the lines of what the President described it as, as well."

Photo: Key and Obama in 2011 (Getty Images)