The United States, in an effort to improve its influence in the Asia-Pacific region, has arranged talks to discuss a proposed Trans-Pacific partnership agreement.

The agreement, to possibly link the US market with Australia, Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam, will be discussed in Australia next week.

As well as talking with the current partners, negotiators from US government offices will try to persuade them to enter a wider Asia-Pacific trade zone, to eventually include China, Japan and South Korea.

The US, which has been shut out of the growing web of Asia-Pacific trade pacts has been concerned about European influences in the region.

Recently negotiations were launched between Singapore and the European Union on a free-trade agreement.