Despite President Barack Obama's charm offensive in the region, Pacific nations are well-advised to remain wary of the U.S. government's position on the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.

If U.S. trade negotiators got their way, the Pacific Rim would reap surprisingly few gains — while taking on big risk.

Until the United States starts to see Asia as a true trading partner, rather than as a region to patronize, it is right to hold out on the TPP.