Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stated she is meeting with U.S. President Biden at the White House on Tuesday, to discuss mounting competition in the Indo-Pacific, trade and the economic role of the U.S. in the region.

There was uncertainty surrounding the meeting as Ardern tested Covid positive earlier in May, due to stringent White House pandemic protocols.

The PM is also planning to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris on the same day, Reuters news agency reports.

The agenda is set to include the war in Ukraine and growing competition in the Indo-Pacific, which is seemingly pointing to increasing rivalry between the U.S. and its allies with China in this region.

“There are a number of areas in which the United States and New Zealand have very similar views, a number of areas where we would wish to see their presence continue, or increase," Ardern stated.

"I imagine we will discuss our region and the fact that it is becoming increasingly contested and the role of the United States in our regional economy is important."

The New Zealand Prime Minister is in the United States looking to enhance exports and attract more tourists as New Zealand eyes fully reopening its borders after over two years of pandemic-fuelled restrictions.

Earlier this week Ardern met members of the U.S. Congress, stating the U.S. should revert to a regional trade agreement that came to an end in 2017 should it want to connect economically with the Indo-Pacific, the Reuters report adds.

The PM’s visit to Washington coincides with a tour of Pacific Island countries by China’s foreign minister, as competition increases for influence between China and the U.S. and its allies, including New Zealand.