Us-led Trade Deal

India opted out of trade talks with a US-led group of Asian nations, again avoiding easing access to its markets via a multi-country deal, while moving ahead with the others in areas including supply chains and clean energy.

Leaders of India's $15 billion pharmaceuticals industry, a major supplier of affordable generics to the world, have joined public health activists in criticising a new US-led trade deal they say will delay the arrival of new cheap drugs.

US Secretary of State John Kerry met top communist party leaders in Hanoi today and hailed the former foes' transformation from enemies to key allies in the two decades since ties were established.

China is pressing for a vast Asia-Pacific free trade agreement, a senior official said Wednesday, as a rival US-led deal that excludes the Asian giant runs into snags.

India opted out of trade talks with a US-led group of Asian nations, again avoiding easing access to its markets via a multi-country deal, while moving ahead with the others in areas including supply chains and clean energy.

Leaders of India's $15 billion pharmaceuticals industry, a major supplier of affordable generics to the world, have joined public health activists in criticising a new US-led trade deal they say will delay the arrival of new cheap drugs.

US Secretary of State John Kerry met top communist party leaders in Hanoi today and hailed the former foes' transformation from enemies to key allies in the two decades since ties were established.

China is pressing for a vast Asia-Pacific free trade agreement, a senior official said Wednesday, as a rival US-led deal that excludes the Asian giant runs into snags.