Pacific trade ministers pose for group photo during break from trade pact negotiations on Maui

Trade ministers from 12 Pacific Rim nations meeting in Hawaii took time out from their talks for a new trade agreement to pose for a photo.

The ministers received flower leis during Thursday's group photo shoot at the oceanfront resort where they are meeting, the Westin Maui on Kaanapali (kahn-uh-PAH'-lee) Beach.

They have been discussing the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, which advocates say would lower tariffs and other trade barriers while also setting labor and environmental standards for its participants.

The 12 nations negotiating the pact are the United States, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

The ministers are scheduled to continue their talks on Maui through Friday.