Obama Rallies for Trans-Pacific Partnership Approval, Some Democrats Push Back

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 (Kristoffer Tripplaar-Pool/Getty Images)

President Obama continues his push for approval of the 12-nation free-trade zone known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), stressing that the global accord would increase influence in the Pacific and help boost American job growth. Last week, Obama highlighted Nike as a company that had pledged to create 10,000 U.S. jobs if the TPP was green lit, and he has been rallying for "fast track authority" that would give him the power to negotiate trade deals. But he faces significant pushback from his fellow Democrats, and critics who say the deal would drive down wages at home. We take a closer look at the trade agreement and its implications.

Guests:

Lori Wallach, executive director of Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch, a non-partisan non-profit that monitors groups like the World Trade Organization and agreements like NAFTA

Calman Cohen, president of the Emergency Committee for American Trade (ECAT), which oversees businesses under the TPP and former director of congressional affairs for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

Barry Bedwell, president of the California Fresh Fruit Association

Patrick Woodall, research director and senior policy advisor at Food & Water Watch

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