Japan’s economy minister has called on US President Barack Obama to ramp up his lobbying of Democrats to secure congressional authority for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, as the mammoth trade deal approaches a make-or-break deadline in the next few months.
The rare direct appeal by Akira Amari, the Japanese minister responsible for the talks, shows how nerves on both sides of the Pacific are fraying as the effective deadline for a deal draws close.
“I’ve always thought it was important that President Obama not leave this in the hands of others, and that he should make direct efforts to convince and persuade,” said Mr Amari in an interview with the Financial Times.