The top U.S. trade official is not losing hope for congressional approval of a sweeping pan-Pacific free trade agreement this year despite strong anti-trade rhetoric in the U.S. presidential campaign that may be influencing reluctant lawmakers.
U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman told reporters in an interview in Lima, Peru, that he continues to have "good meetings" with members of Congress about the 12-country Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.
As more industry groups voice support for the deal, U.S. lawmakers are likely to come out in favor of it, he said.