Obama Backs Trade Deal Despite Clinton, Trump Opposition

[Purveyor]

Source: Bloomberg

President Barack Obama reaffirmed his support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the controversial 12-nation trade deal, and said that he believes he has "the better argument" than the pact’s foes, including Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

The agreement has become a flash point in the 2016 election, and Obama acknowledged that globalization and technology have increased anxiety among some Americans. But the president said that abandoning trade deals is not the solution.

"The answer cannot be to back away from trade and the global economy," he said at a news conference at the White House following a meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. "It is here to stay. It is not possible to cut ourselves off. To try to pull up the drawbridge on trade would only hurt ourselves and our workers."

Both Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton have said they would not support the agreement, which has drawn the furor of blue-collar workers and activists in both parties.

"Right now I’m president, and I’m for it," Obama said. "I think I’ve got the better argument."

Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-08-02/obama-says-he-won-t-abandon-trade-deal-opposed-by-clinton-trump

[underthematrix]

1. I love President Obama. And this

line says it all -

"Right now I’m president, and I’m for it," Obama said. "I think I’ve got the better argument."

Clinton, whom I support, does not have to support this policy of the current President. Hillary said TPP didn't meet her jobs test. Nope I don't know anything about HRC's jobs test. If someone does, please post it here. I'm sure HRC has good arguments against TPP.

I'm voting for HRC because she's SANE, smart, tested by GOP fire, prepared, and experienced. i don't have to agree with all her policy positions. I'm a well educated mature voter so this sort of thing doesn't get me in my feels.

[glennward]

2. Like he said. He is the President right now. I wish more people had seen his presser. TPP lesson.

I don't agree with everything he does but I love this President!

[Plucketeer]

3. I believe Obama's smart enough

to be WELL AWARE of the general sentiment against this trade debacle. He KNOWS it's not popular with ANYONE but those (corporational) interests that would benefit from it. He's flipping us citizens, the bird. And it's just one more point of evidence as to just WHO our elected representatives REALLY work for once we anoint them to be managers of our stuff.
Furthermore, I'm dying to see what sorta "tweaks" dame Hillary will twiddle into it to make it "acceptable" to her - once again affording it "Gold Standard" status.

[cadaverdog]

4. Well I don't think much of the TPP, Mr. President and I challenge you

to debate the issue before the American people against any one of the numerous thoughtful opponents of the so-called "trade bill" and let us decide for ourselves its worth. Bernie Sanders comes to mind, but so do many others.

How about it Mr. President? Instead of standing next to an unknown foreign dignitary and blowing smoke about the TPP, let's hear you make your case against some real opposition.

It certainly would be more enlightening than listening to you rail against Donald Trump.

Any MSM players want to get behind this?

[nikto]

6. My sentiments, EXACTLY

An open debate on TPP in America would doom it forever.

The less the American People know about it, the less objection there will be to its passage.

TPP WILL ABSOLUTELY result in a loss-of-sovereignty (over internat'l corporations) for the US.

This is unequivocal. Like gravity.

Obama is a super-smart guy, and knows this well, which rips me up inside (I voted for him twice). It really does.
He knows what he is pushing, and I find his awareness, in this case, disturbing.

[ananda]

5. No you don't, Obama!

There is no good argument for the TPP!

[nikto]

7. You are correct

IMO, there are more reasons why cholera is good,
than there are reasons for why TPP is good.

[Omaha Steve]

8. Mr President

Why do so many CONSERVATIVES agree with you if it is so good for the USA? You know only vote what is good for BIG business.