However, Spiegel Online reports Erdogan hinted that the emerging economy may consider joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which includes countries such as China and Russia, instead.
In Singapore, at the annual meeting of the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said the goal toward joining the Trans Pacific Partnership would be achieved in close consultation with U.S. Congress, which is holding up the ratification of a U.S. free trade agreement with South Korea.