US unlikely to ratify TPP in Obama's term: PM

America's reputation as a credible partner on the line if it fails to deliver on its promise of ratifying the 12-nation FTA, he tells Time magazine

Lee U-Wen

Published Wed, Oct 26, 2016 · 09:50 PM

US elections

Singapore

IT is increasingly likely that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) - a mega free trade deal involving Singapore and 11 nations - won't be ratified by the time US President Barack Obama steps down next January.

Giving his latest take on the impasse, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that the TPP "probably will not be" settled within the next three months, and this would be a "casualty" and a "very big setback" for America.

Asked about the consequences should the TPP not be ratified, Mr Lee said that America's standing with many countries around the world would go down. "Your opponents …