One of Trump’s first presidential acts was killing Obama’s Trans-Pacific Partnership deal.
Thursday, the White House released the following statement indicating Trump may be reconsidering TPP.
The Washington Times elaborates:
President Trump directed his top economic and trade officials Thursday to look into reviving the Obama administration’s multi-nation free trade deal with Pacific rim nations, a deal that Mr. Trump withdrew from last year.The president’s decision came in a White House meeting with lawmakers from farm states worried about the impact of potential tariffs by China against agricultural products.Mr. Trump “deputized” White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to investigate the U.S. getting back into the Trans-Pacific Partnership, an 11-nation agreement including Japan, Mexico, Vietnam, Australia and others.“That would certainly be good news throughout farm country,” said Sen. Pat Roberts, Kansas Republican and chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.The administration has been floating a multi-billion-dollar proposal to provide temporary relief to farmers who would be hurt by Chinese tariffs. But lawmakers emerging from the White House meeting said they are more interested in opening new markets for trade.
Republican lawmakers are encouraging Trump to reconsider TPP.
“The best thing the United States can do to push back against Chinese cheating now is to lead the other eleven Pacific nations that believe in free trade and the rule of law. It is good news that today the President directed Larry Kudlow and Ambassador Lighthizer to negotiate U.S. entry into TPP,” said. Sen. Sasse.
Japan is also encouraging Trump to reconsider:
Coincidentally (or not), Japanese Prime Minister Abe will join Trump in Mar-a-lago next week.
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