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President Obama continues to press for trade agreement

Despite vocal opposition from both Presidential candidates, President Obama continues to press for ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal. At the White House yesterday the President said he has the better argument.

“Most manufactured products now involve a global supply chain where parts are made in all corners of the globe, and converge and then get assembled and packaged and sold.  And so the notion that we’re going to pull that up root and branch is unrealistic.” says Obama.

President Obama also says unlike previous trade agreements, TPP includes enforceable provisions to address issues that may develop afterward.

“If you care about preventing abuse of workers, child labor, wildlife trafficking, over fishing, the decimation of forests, all those things are addressed in this agreement.” says Obama.

Both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have spoken out against the TPP deal. Given the political climate, President Obama says he would like to see movement on the deal following Election Day.

“Hopefully, after the election is over and the dust settles, there will be more attention to the actual facts behind the deal and it won’t just be a political symbol or a political football.” says Obama.

The United States, Japan and at least four other member countries will have to ratify the TPP by February 2018 in order for it to take effect.