The U.S. symbolically signed on to the biggest global trade partnership in history Thursday morning local time in New Zealand. Harvest Public Media’s Kristofor Husted reports on next steps.
The Trans Pacific Partnership, or TPP, is expected to open up new markets for American agricultural exports, especially soybeans and beef. But it’s controversial.
“There are some people suggesting the concessions that have been made into the U.S. market would offset that," says Julian Binfield, the director of international programs at the University of Missouri. "Or some people would suggest the deal didn’t as go far people would have liked.”
For President Obama, the battle now moves to Congress for approval, where the TPP has been met with opposition from both sides of the aisle.
Legislators will ultimately vote to approve or reject the deal in the coming months.