Trade Minister Simon Birmingham is hoping to finalise the world's largest trade deal this year.
Representatives from 10 ASEAN countries and China, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, India and Australia will meet in Melbourne to finalise details of an ambitious trade deal that sidelines the US.
Amid the ongoing US-China trade stoush, Australia will host the group negotiating the final details of the trade pact known as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham has set this year as the deadline for finalising the deal and will host the nations from Friday, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age report.
Australian Associated Press