Trans-Pacific Partnership

The 11 parties to the revamped Trans-Pacific Partnership could wrap up talks for a new deal as early as March, though doing so could require leaving Canada behind, Wendy Cutler, a former U.S. trade official who negotiated TPP, told Inside U.S. Trade this week.

President Trump's decision to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership during his first month in office disheartened the other 11 countries that had spent years haggling with the U.S. and each other over the deal -- the crown jewel of Trump’s predecessor’s trade policy.

The economy minister said “I believe the fact that 20 items are put on hold will encourage the U.S. to come back to the table.”

The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Asia and the Pacific subcommittee on Wednesday lauded President Trump's burgeoning Indo-Pacific strategy, claiming countries in the region are “eager” to forge bilateral trade deals with the U.S.

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on Monday said the Trump administration’s Indo-Pacific plans could overshadow the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which moved forward over the weekend without the U.S.

“I fear [the deal] will create an incentive for American manufacturers to move production to Mexico to access consumers in the Asia-Pacific, such as those in Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam.”

Malaysia and Vietnam had wanted to opt out of the original labor provisions, CBC News says, which was unacceptable to Canada.

Report: Country leaders are slated to officially approve the deal on Friday.

As President Trump continues his trip throughout Asia, Barbara Weisel, former U.S. chief negotiator of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, said she is encouraged by the itinerary – and expects the 11 remaining TPP countries will announce progress on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.