REUTERS: Obama seeks to convince Asian partners that Washington will approve TPP

September 5, 2016 U.S. President Barack Obama said on Monday that U.S. trading partners in Asia did not need to be persuaded of the benefits of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, just that Washington would eventually approve the trade pact. Obama has made the 12-nation TPP the centerpiece of a diplomatic “pivot” to Asia, but the prospects for U.S. congressional approval have looked increasingly dim, with both major presidential candidates – Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump – standing opposed. Administration officials had said that Obama would make the case for the TPP during his visit to Asia, including in a speech he has scheduled in Laos on Tuesday. To read the full article,  please click here.