Abbott hints at TPP talks on America visit

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has hinted talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal will be on the cards during his North America visit.

Mr Abbott will visit France on Friday for World War II D-Day commemorations before heading to Ottawa, New York, Washington and Houston and then Pearl Harbour, Hawaii.

He will hold formal talks with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and US President Barack Obama while accompanied by a business delegation to promote trade and business ties.

Australia has been successful in its free trade negotiations with South Korea and Japan and Mr Abbott is keen to extend the same "open for business" message to North America.

"The whole point of sending the prime minister abroad on the taxpayer is for him to bring back economic and security benefits and that's what I'll be intending to do," he told the Ten Network on Sunday.

Australia, Canada and the US are among 12 prospective member nations discussing the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which would cover about 40 per cent of the world economy.

Talks have stalled with the US and Japan locking horns over Japanese agricultural tariffs.