If T.P.P. Crumbles, China Wins

Developed economies face huge problems that have produced this season of rage. But the world has enjoyed growing prosperity over decades because of continuously reduced trade barriers. A reversal would be the road to conflict. Like the best trade accords, the Trans-Pacific Partnership is also a strategic boost to liberty and stability in the fastest-growing part of the globe. Congress should resist populist ranting and ratify it.

.. “The best that can be said about this is that it was probably a tactical cave-in she would reverse if she wins.”
This is why Americans don’t trust their government with free trade agreements. Proponents are always selling the benefits, downplaying the drawbacks, and promising safeguards and enforcement that never get triggered. When presidents have to choose between protecting American jobs or playing The Great Game, the latter always wins. Cultivating alliances; expanding prestige, power, and influence; and maintaining the New World Order always come first. We can’t risk offending our “allies” by calling them on the carpet for cheating.