There's big trade news coming out of the EU.

The head of NZ's branch of the US Pentagon's missile and fighter jet manufacturer is trying to help Northland companies arm themselves with information to win lucrative contracts with international governments.

The ink is barely dry on the TPP and New Zealand has the prospect of another giant free trade deal in the offing.

Returns from beef exports hit a record high last season surpassing sheepmeat returns for the first time in 20 years, Beef and Lamb NZ says.

I feel for the Labour Party as it angsts over whether to support the Trans-Pacific Partnership, writes Liam Dann. Supporting trade deals has become extremely socially awkward.

The TPP was much more about winning a few tariff reductions, writes Bernard Hickey.

Labour has been pivotal in shifting public opinion, shifting its own position last year from a pro starting point to a neutral one.

Tim Groser has a sales job in front of him after the Trans-Pacific Partnership kept the doors open wide to foreign investment in Auckland's red hot housing market.

A group of Silver Fern Farms shareholders who oppose the company's proposed joint venture with Shanghai Maling Aquarius say their offer of a $90 million alternative capital raising proposal remains a live issue just days before the deal goes to the vote.

Editorial: Dairy products might not have gained much easier access to Japan and North America but agricultural exports are firmly in the agreement.

FRAN O'SULLIVAN: Geneva has the WTO. Brussels hosts the European Union. Will the Trans-Pacific Partnership put Auckland on the map?

The agreement provides for the complete elimination of tariffs on New Zealand's exports to TPP nations, but with only partial liberalisation of the dairy trade.

The TPP could be improved after a few years, Trade Minister Tim Groser has said, acknowledging NZ lost against powerful forces that limited dairy sector rewards.

Q & A: Why is this trade agreement such a big deal?

The TPP outcome differs from what its opponents had predicted, says lobbyist Charles Finny.

New Zealand and 11 other countries strike Pacific trade pact - a deal that will affect 40 per cent of world's economy.

Beef exports have hit $3 billion - a record high, driven by international shortages, rising local production, and a falling New Zealand dollar, Statistics NZ said.

China is poised to upgrade its ground-breaking free trade agreement with NZ but becoming in favour of NZ's dairy exporters will be problematic.

Low dairy prices have continued to weigh heavily on farmer sentiment, according to Rabobank's Rural Confidence Survey.

Regulatory niggles facing exporters and an upgrade to NZ's free trade agreement with China will be among the issues discussed at a trade forum in Beijing this week.

Does this morning's big jump in world dairy prices mean an increased payout for farmers? There might be a long way to go.

It will put Silver Fern Farms in a strong position, writes Fran O'Sullivan. But that won't stop the emotion over the injection of Chinese ownership into a company that other players were endeavouring to keep NZ controlled.

Silver Fern Farms says $261m Chinese input will help meat processor forge ahead with a growth strategy.

Silver Fern Farms, the country's biggest meat processor, says its is forming a 50/50 joint partnership with Chinese investors.

Trade Minister Tim Groser says he remains 90 per cent certain that TPP talks will be successfully completed later this year.

Prices are expected to rise at this week's GlobalDairyTrade auction but doubts remain as to how much further improvement is in store.