The Prime Minister says any free trade deal with the United States, would have to be good for us.

After high-level talks in Washington with the Trump Administration on the weekend, Trade Minister Todd McClay says the US is open to a trade deal when the time is right.

SEE ALSO: Free trade deal with US could take years, says McClay

Bill English told Mike Hosking keeping the US interested in trade with a "high quality" agreement is in New Zealand's best interest.

"The way the US has framed their trade policy, which has been they'll do things that very much benefit the US, indicate it would be quite difficult to get an agreement that would benefit us, so we wouldn't do an agreement like that at any cost.

"But of course keeping the US interested in trade, with a high quality agreement, is in our interests, but it just could take a while," Mr English said.

LISTEN ABOVE AS PRIME MINISTER BILL ENGLISH SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING

• Free trade deal with US could take years, says McClay