The White House website has been updated with a new trade strategy in the wake of President Donald Trump’s inauguration.

“This strategy starts by withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership [TPP] and making certain that any new trade deals are in the interests of American workers,” the website states.

“President Trump is committed to renegotiating NAFTA,” it continues. “If our partners refuse a renegotiation that gives American workers a fair deal, then the President will give notice of the United States’ intent to withdraw from NAFTA.

Many critics argue that Trump’s desire to withdraw from the 12-country TPP, which includes Canada, Mexico and Japan, contradicts his anti-China attitude on trade.

They see the trade deal — which excludes China but includes other Asian countries like Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam — as an attempt to limit China’s economic influence.

Scrapping the deal in essence strengthens China’s economic dominance in Asia, critics say.

And the U.S.’s withdrawal from the TPP has not yet killed the deal entirely.  >  >  >  Continue to read the full article

|  From The Huff Post, Canada - January 21, 2017  |