Leaked papers say the Trans Pacific Partnership negotiations being held in Singapore are unlikely to make much progress, because of significant differences remaining between the 12 countries.
The papers, released by Wikileaks, show that New Zealand, among a number of countries, has so far rejected many of the proposals being pushed by the United States.
The leaked papers show New Zealand has real concerns about a number of proposals, particularly those relating to medicines.
The papers also note that there had been great pressure from the United States to reach agreement on as many issues as possible at a meeting last month in Salt Lake City.
This Radio New Zealand Insight programme explains the TPP, as does Megan Whelan's article for The Wireless: What is the TPP?