WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama said Friday he believes the U.S. Congress will approve a 12-nation Pacific trade pact early in 2016 and told reporters his administration is consulting Democrats and Republicans on the issue.
“We strongly believe that on a bipartisan basis, we should get this done,” Obama said after meeting with a group of senior Republican and Democratic diplomats and national security experts.
“As soon as the 90-day review period is completed and the new session of Congress begins after the Christmas break, I am hoping that leaders in both parties and both chambers move promptly to get it done,” Obama told reporters.