An opinion piece by Alan
Cafruny, the Henry Platt Bristol Professor of International Relations, was
published by the Valdai Discussion Club on Oct. 12. “Could
the Next U.S. President Let the TPP Fail?” focused on how the
outcome of the presidential election could affect the future of the
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
Cafruny said that if President Obama is not able to pass the TPP before he
leaves office, a victory by Donald Trump in the November election “would
certainly lead to a long period of uncertainty with respect to U.S. trade
policy.”
In contrast, Cafruny opined, a win by Hillary Clinton “would likely
lead to new efforts to revive it in 2017 after the dust has
settled.”
He said the ratification of “the TPP would facilitate the deepening
of Asian and Pacific economic integration with the United States on American
terms and compel China to reform and liberalize its economy in ways that would
benefit U.S. banks and corporations.”
According to its website, the Valdai Discussion Club engages
in “practical work aimed at forming the global agenda and delivering a
qualified and objective assessment of global political and economic
issues.” Since its founding in 2004, “more than 1,000
representatives of the international scholarly community from 63 countries
have taken part in the Club’s work.”
