Japan's Amari says one more push can seal elusive Pacific trade deal

LAHAINA, Hawaii (Reuters) - Japan's Economy Minister Akira Amari said on Friday that one more push by Pacific nations can reach a broad trade deal after members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership failed to seal a highly awaited pact.

"The goal of the TPP is to eliminate tariffs and non-tariff barriers," Amari said a joint news conference in Hawaii of the trade officials from the 12 nations.

"We made progress toward that and will make a landing after a bit more. I think that if we meet one more time, we can resolve everything."

Ministers from the TPP nations were unable to conclude a deal, with Japan and North America remaining apart over autos, New Zealand digging in on trade in dairy products and no agreement on monopoly periods for next-generation drugs.

(Reporting by Ami Miyazaki; Writing by Kaori Kaneko; Editing by William Mallard)