The proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement has hit a snag in the US Congress.
US Senators have voted to not limit debate on a proposal which would give US President Barack Obama the authority to fast-track the bill without legislative approvals.
The so-called TPP is one of the rare instances where the Democratic President and the Republican-controlled Congress have agreed on.
Republican Senator Orin Hatch says the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement is critical for the economic prosperity of the United States.
"I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will stand with me and President Obama and vote yes so we may update and modernize our trade laws, including TPA to help lay the ground work for a healthy economy for our children and our grand children. 95 percent of the world's trade is outside of our country."
The White House is being opposed on the TPP by left-leaning Democrats, including rising Democratic star, Senator Elizabeth Warren.
