Trade ministers may hold another meeting soon to try to once again clinch the Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal.
Tim Groser Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
Negotiators from the 12 countries involved in the TPP talks, including New Zealand, plan to meet in the United States next weekend.
Efforts to conclude the talks in Hawaii in late July failed because of a standoff over domestic content rules for vehicle imports, and market access for dairy products.
Trade Minister Tim Groser played down expectations, saying he and the other ministers would only meet if progress was made on outstanding issues.
If a deal is not reached soon, the talks may be put on ice for some time.
Negotiations for the proposed 12-country deal have attracted fierce criticism and sparked nationwide protests.
At least 25 TPP protesters were arrested after trying to force their way into a government building in Wellington earlier this week.