Not so fast: U.S. notes that interest in re-joining TPP far from guaranteed
WASHINGTON — On the heels of bombshell news that President Donald Trump is exploring the possibility of rejoining the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the United States is seeking to contain expectations.
That note of caution is being signalled on multiple fronts.
Trump has tweeted that he would only rejoin the agreement if it’s changed substantially; the economic adviser he’s tasked to lead the process has since made clear it’s still preliminary; and an official clarified during a White House briefing Friday that any new deal would have to be very attractive for the U.S. to reconsider.
This was the fallout the day after a surprise development when the president met senators from farm states being battered by poor commodity prices, tariff threats and trade uncertainty, and then instructed his adviser Larry Kudlow to, “Go get it done (on TPP).”