Free trade negotiations between the United States and European Union have gone nowhere, according to Germany's economic minister.

"In my opinion, the negotiations with the United States have de facto failed, even though nobody is really admitting it," German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said to the Associated Press.

Gabriel noted that the two sides agreed on none of the 27 items being discussed following 14 rounds of talks.

Trade has become a hot-button issue on the presidential campaign trail. Donald Trump has championed "fair trade" over free trade, while Clinton has likewise rhetorically distanced herself from free trade during the 2016 campaign season. Trump strongly opposed the Obama administration's proposed trade deal with Asia, the Trans-Pacific Partnership.