MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized on Tuesday the way the U.S.-backed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal is being arranged, saying the “clandestine talks” do not promote stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
His comments were published on the Kremlin website just before this week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, which the Russian leader said should play a greater role in regional trade.
The TPP deal, reached Oct. 5 after marathon talks between the United States and 11 other Pacific Rim nations, aims to liberalize commerce in 40 percent of the world’s economy and would be a legacy-defining victory for President Barack Obama.
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