Froman: TPP Can Still Shape World Trade

Former U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman speaking in Tokyo this week said the Trans-Pacific Partnership can still serve as a guide for future trade agreements.  The Nikkei Asian Review reports Froman told a symposium this week: “It's possible that the U.S., among other countries, will look to what we agreed to in the TPP as they negotiate or renegotiate other agreements.”  Froman cited NAFTA as an example, which Trump has said he would like to renegotiate with Canada and Mexico.  Froman said a number of members of Congress have talked about adding provisions on labor, the environment, state-owned enterprises and the digital economy, "all of which were part of the TPP."

On the future of the TPP, Froman remained optimistic that the pact will come into effect despite the absence of the U.S.  He said it’s possible the other TPP countries will approve the agreement, while potentially adding additional countries to the accord.

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