WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States and Australia are determined to finalize shortly the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal, the White House announced in a release on Friday.
"President Obama spoke by phone with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull of Australia yesterday primarily to discuss the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to concluding TPP soon," the release said.
The TPP, a top priority for the Obama administration, is being negotiated in unusual secrecy between the United States and 11 Asian and Pacific Rim nations, including Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Mexico, Taiwan, South Korea and Malaysia.
The controversial trade pact is expected to cover about 40 percent of the global economy. Uncertain implications for workers’ rights, employment and the environment have drawn heavy criticism from labor unions and watchdogs.
