Talks have begun in Melbourne, Australia between eight nations on how to incorporate other countries in the largest free trade area ever seen.

The talks have been called to ostensibly consider adding the United States, Australia, Peru and Vietnam to a Trans Pacific Partnership.

The free trade agreement currently groups Chile, Singapore, New Zealand and Brunei, which, along with the other four countries in discussion, account for a combined gross domestic product more than $16 trillion.

The group has a vision which would eventually embrace the entire region, adding China, Japan, South Korea and possibly India to the mix.