McCain: Trump’s withdrawal from TPP a ‘serious mistake’

“President Trump’s decision to formally withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a serious mistake that will have lasting consequences for America’s economy and our strategic position in the Asia-Pacific region,” McCain said in a statement. 

Trump signed an executive action on Monday withdrawing from the trade deal, a key pillar of the Obama administration’s second term. 

{mosads}The decision drew quick praise from Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), who broke with Obama over the agreement. 

But McCain argued that it is the “wrong decision” and will increase China’s economic influence in the region. 

“It will send a troubling signal of American disengagement in the Asia-Pacific region at a time we can least afford it,” he said. 

Top Senate Republicans, including Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), appeared open last year to moving the trade deal if the Obama administration would commit to changes to the agreement.

But Trump drew a hard line on trade during his campaign, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) acknowledged last year that TPP was dead for the foreseeable future. 

McCain added on Monday that the administration should support a “positive trade agenda” in the Asia-Pacific region in the future. 

Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) said on Monday that pro-trade lawmakers have to do a better job of defending their positions. 

“It’s clear that those of us who believe trade is good for American families have done a terrible job defending trade’s historic successes and celebrating its future potential,” he said. “We have to make the arguments and we have to start now.”