Just to prove that anything is possible in politics, Trump wants back into the TPP after years of trashing it withing inches of his life, via The Australian:
Donald Trump has ordered his senior economic and trade advisers to examine the possibility of the United States re-entering the 11 nation Trans Pacific Partnership.
The surprise move, which comes just over a year after the president withdrew from the TPP, would if enacted dramatically recast trade across the Asia Pacific and act as a powerful symbolic boost for global free trade.
…Mr Trump gave the order during a meeting with Senators of agricultural states concerned about the impact of a tariff war between the US and China. The possible re-entry of the US into the TPP is seen as a way of helping US farmers who fear they will he hurt by new retaliatory tariffs imposed by China on US agricultural products.
So much for working classes.
Leith has previously done great work unpicking why this is such a dud deal. Economically, I agree.
But I can’t help feeling a little relief as well. This is heavy US engagement that helps enmesh the Pacific hegemon. I’ll give up a few trade concessions for that.
