Countries negotiating the Doha round of world trade talks have reportedly discussed alternatives to the failing discussions for the first time.
The discussions come as a deadline nears for breaking the deadlock by the end of this weekend.
Disagreement between the United States and the European Union, and developing countries such as China over cuts to tariffs on industrial goods have taken the talks to the verge of collapse.
US newspaper reports suggest a deal will be done on the limited areas where there is agreement between the 153 countries involved.
New Zealand trade sources say even if that were to happen, it would not include agriculture and would be of limited value to this country's exporters.