Obama wins Indonesian backing for Pacific trade pact

AFP, WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama won Indonesia’s endorsement for a contentious trans-Pacific trade deal Monday, with the president of Southeast Asia’s largest economy vowing to join.
During a meeting with Obama at the White House, Joko Widodo risked the ire of economic nationalists at home and pledged to join the pact.
“Indonesia is an open economy and with a population of 250 million, we are the largest economy in Southeast Asia,” Widodo said in the Oval Office.
“Indonesia intends to join the TPP.”
Twelve countries are currently party to the “Trans-Pacific Partnership”—including Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Vietnam and the United States—creating the world’s largest free trade area.
The deal is seen by some as a counterbalance to growing Chinese economic clout in the region. Widodo’s endorsement is a political victory for Obama, who is steering the already completed pact through a hostile Republican-controlled Congress and without the full backing of his Democratic party.

Obama wins Indonesian backing for Pacific trade pact

AFP, WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama won Indonesias endorsement for a contentious trans-Pacific trade deal Monday, with the president of Southeast Asias largest economy vowing to join. During a meeting with Obama at the White House, Joko Widodo risked the ire of economic nationalists at home and pledged to join the pact. Indonesia is an open economy and with a population of 250 million, we are the largest economy in Southeast Asia, Widodo said in the Oval Office. Indonesia intends to join the TPP. Twelve countries are currently party to the Trans-Pacific Partnershipincluding Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Vietnam and the United Statescreating the worlds largest free trade area. The deal is seen by some as a counterbalance to growing Chinese economic clout in the region. Widodos endorsement is a political victory for Obama, who is steering the already completed pact through a hostile Republican-controlled Congress and without the full backing of his Democratic party.