[FILE - In this June 29, 2015 file picture Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel briefs the media about the Greece crisis, at the chancellery in Berlin. Germany’s economy minister said Sunday Aug. 28, 2016 that free trade talks between the European Union and the United States have failed, citing lack of progress on any of the major chapters of the long-running negotiations. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber,file)]BRUSSELS (AP) — Both the European Union's lead negotiator in trade talks with the United States and the spokesman for Germany's leader on Monday downplayed assertions that negotiations on the proposed landmark pact have collapsed.