Todd McClay leaves a part of Rotorua in the White House

US Trade Representative Ambassador Robert Lighthizer with Trade Minister and Rotorua MP Todd McClay. Photo/supplied

Rotorua MP and Trade Minister Todd McClay has left a part of Rotorua in the White House after recent trade talks with President Donald Trump's new chief negotiator.

Mr McClay told the Rotorua Daily Post before boarding a plane back to New Zealand yesterday he was thrilled to have a meeting with US Trade Representative Ambassador Robert Lighthizer in Washington on Friday.

"He has recently been appointed by President Trump as their trade minister and chief negotiator so I was pleased to be invited to meet with him so soon after he took office.

"When I first met Ambassador Lighthizer in Vietnam a few weeks ago he told me he was a keen fly fisherman and so of course I told him we have the best fishing in the world in the Rotorua district."

Mr McClay finished the trade talks with gifts for the US official from O'Keefe's in Rotorua. The fishing box is loaded with trout fishing flies from Rotorua local Pat Swift and from Kilwell. The fishing book is produced by the Rotorua Anglers club.

Mr McClay said Mr Lighthizer was keen to come to New Zealand, probably next year, and had agreed to visit Rotorua with a view to doing a day's fishing.

"I've told him of the beauty of Lake Tarawera and the big fish in Okataina. It is customary to take gifts when making a visit like this so I thought to take a part of Rotorua to the White House."