New Zealand's being forced to take sides in the growing divide between the US and China.

Jacinda Ardern has been meeting with several top US lawmakers this morning, including Republican Mitt Romney and Democrat Chuck Schumer.

Discussions have mostly focused on gun control and trade, rather than China.

But Chief Political Reporter Jason Walls told Mike Hosking Ardern's visit to the US at this time,  still sends a powerful message to Beijing.

“The fact that Ardern is now on the ground in the US capital talking to lawmakers as this is happening in her corner of the world really shows what side of the ledger she’s been put on here.”

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