Obama Wins Indonesia’s Backing For Pacific Trade Pact

[bertramhall]

butthis.com/news/obama-wins-indonesias-backing-for-pacific-trade-pact

Useless TPP becomes more real

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

I doubt this will go through anytime soon. Vietnam and Malaysia are smaller countries with more to fear from China and a more substantial base of US export-led business. It would have to be a softly, softly catchy monkey situation - a lot of powerful tycoons are based in the country who benefit from the current nationalistic trade policy and jokowi is surrounded by political hacks with domestic backers. He would have to head into the 2019 election with a strong emphasis on the issue. I would focus more on bilateral trade deals rather than these complicated multilaterals, but I have a natural desire to avoid biting off more than I can chew.

Still, it would be interesting to see what the U.S. whew would be of bringing in Indonesia, which would certainly be a huge step. I expect Phillipines, Thailand and Korea (the first one especially in surprised didn't take part, considering its economy and ties with the U.S.) to all join before Indonesia. Maybe Taiwan, if PRC doesn't have a fit.