No Chance TTIP to Be Concluded Before US Elections - German Minister

German Economic Affairs Minister Sigmar Gabriel said that he has doubt that the proposed EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) trade deal would be concluded before the US presidential elections.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – German Economic Affairs Minister Sigmar Gabriel expressed doubt Tuesday that the proposed EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) trade deal would be concluded before the US presidential elections.

"I cannot tell you whether there is one more chance for TTIP after the US presidential election, but before there is ultimately no such chance," Gabriel told a press conference.

He voiced doubt that the TTIP negotiations could be successfully completed till the end of the year.

"Over the past 12 months I have appreciated the fact that Merkel supported the talks. But from the very beginning I was more skeptical than she that it could be achieved this year. And I do not know how the talks… can be brought to a successful conclusion this year," Gabriel said.

The US government has started the discussions over the free trade zone with the European Union in 2013. The details of the TTIP deal including specific rules of market access have not been released the public.