Japan's government will next week host the latest round of negotiations for the 11 nations remaining in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), but reaching a final deal has been thrown into doubt by New Zealand's change of government. Incoming Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has insisted she will push to renegotiate the trade pact to include curbs against foreign real estate speculation as New Zealand grapples with soaring housing prices.

Originally the United States was also a member of TPP, but talks were thrown into limbo in January when US President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement to prioritise protecting US jobs. Japan hopes to finalise the deal next month to show other nations that it can act as a champion of free trade, but there is a risk talks could stall if New Zealand's new government is not satisfied with the details of the pact.

Copyright Reuters, 2017