While US dairy farmers are less than enthusiastic about the start of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade talks in Melbourne on Monday, New Zealand is primed to pounce.

The opening round of negotiations will be led by New Zealand whose ultimate goal is a free trade agreement with the United States.

Also involving Australia, Brunei, Chille, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam, President Barrack Obama only formally notified Congress of his intent to enter TPP negotiations on December 14.