"Hello John, this is Barack speaking" 

Source: ReutersUnited States President Barack Obama

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Barack Obama has been on the phone to Prime Minister John Key .

Key has confirmed he received a call from the US President on Thursday.

Key says he broached the subject of a free trade agreement with the US with president, during the 15 minute call.

The Prime Minister says the conversation was wide-ranging, about the economy, Afghanistan, nuclear proliferation and trade.

"We had a very good conversation, he expressed that New Zealand and the United States had a very strong relationship and he wanted that relationship to be even better," Key says.

Key says he told Obama New Zealand is at a disadvantage compared to Australia, which does have an agreement with the US.

It's the first conversation that Key and President Obama have had since they both became leaders - and the call had been scheduled for some time.

Key says no formal agreements were reached during the conversation.

Obama told Key he had friends who lived in New Zealand and would love to come and play golf.

He ended the conversation by telling Key, "call me Barack".'