Talks between the US and EU over the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) should be halted, according to France's foreign trade minister. Matthias Fekl revealed Paris would be urging the European Commission to make the move over social media site Twitter today (30 August).

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Fekl also warned France could walk away from negotiations if no progress was made between the parties over the flagship trade agreement, while blaming "protectionist" US for the trouble around the negotiations.

"There is no willingness from the American side to move on. It's true on environmental issues, it's true on public procurement, it's true on agriculture. It's true on a whole range of issues," he told CNBC.

Fekl added: "Those who are protectionist are Americans, Europe is very open."

The comments come after fellow left-winger Sigmar Gabriel, the vice-chancellor of Germany and leader of Social Democratic Party (SDP), claimed TTIP talks had "de facto failed".

But the European Commission reportedly said the "ball was still rolling" on the negotiations, which first started in 2013, according to Reuters.

A spokesman for US Trade Representative Michael Froman told German magazine Der Spiegel: "Negotiations are in fact making steady progress."

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