The dozen countries that signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership have committed to refraining from competitive currency devaluations and to being transparent about their exchange-rate policies, the U.S. said.

Negotiators for Pacific Rim nations including Japan, Australia and Vietnam agreed last month to the deal, which would cut trade barriers on items ranging from cars to rice.

The countries have pledged to "avoid unfair currency practices and refrain from competitive devaluation," according to a fact sheet provided by the U.S. Treasury Department on a joint declaration that accompanies the deal. The language echoes a statement by Group of 20 finance ministers and central bankers at a meeting in Turkey in September.