Obama to assure Asian leaders on TPP amid US opposition

Washington

WHEN US President Barack Obama travels to Asia next week, he will try to reassure leaders in the region that he still has the clout to deliver US approval for the sweeping Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), even though the two candidates vying to succeed him and a congressional leader have said the 12-nation trade deal should not move forward.

The trade pact is the economic pillar of Mr Obama's broader plan to shift US foreign policy towards Asia and counter the rising economic and military might of China.