GETTY Angela Merkel wants to press ahead with TTIP talks despite opposition

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Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) free trade deal negotiations hit trouble in the summer when German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel suggested Washington did not want to compromise with its European counterparts. Opponents of the deal argue it would weaken environmental standards and give too much power to multinational companies and there were major public protests across Europe over the summer as details emerged. But Mrs Merkel said a successful TTIP deal could "write a new chapter in the history of globalisation".

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GETTY Anti-TTIP protestors take to the streets of Brussels

We are still continuing the discussions about TTIP and I think we should continue them as long as possible Angela Merkel

She said: "We are still continuing the discussions about TTIP and I think we should continue them as long as possible. "We will never fall below the standards set by the European Union." Mr Gabriel told the German BGA trade body he did not believe the TTIP trade talks could be completed this year. He said: "I expect that we'll need a new start after the US president election." But he warned a free trade deal with Canada, which had set high standards for protections, would help prevent adoption of a European-US deal that offered worse conditions.

GETTY Demonstrators carry a TTIP Trojan Horse through the streets

BGA President Anton Boerner told the meeting: "TTIP may be the last chance for Europe to participate in a trade deal that allows us to set the standards for global trade. "Such standards might not please everyone but they would definitely be better than the ones that other countries without democracy and respect for human rights would write." US and EU officials expect talks to continue at least until a new US president is sworn in next January.

GETTY Angela Merkel

What countries are in the EU? Wed, September 14, 2016 In the wake of Brexit, we look at the 28 member states that are in the European Union. Play slideshow Getty 1 of 29 Countries that are in the European Union