Pacific trade ministers fail to reach deal in Hawaii talks
Trade ministers from a dozen Pacific Rim nations failed to reach a deal on a new trade agreement that would cover nearly 40 percent of the global economy, US Trade Representative Michael Froman said Friday.
Froman, reading from a statement on behalf of all of the ministers, said the parties made significant progress and agreed to continue their discussions.
The countries haven't yet set a date for future talks. Froman said some issues were bilateral in nature, and some will involve groups.
"I feel very gratified about the progress that's been made and I am confident that through our continued intensive engagement that we'll be able to tackle the remaining issues successfully," Froman said in response to a reporter's question about whether he was disappointed about the lack of a deal.
Japan's economic and fiscal policy minister, Akira Amari, said he thought a deal would be reached with one more meeting.
