The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal that Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from in his first days in office was signed anyway by eleven Pacific Rim nations. The deal, now called the "Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership," is pretty much meaningless without American participation.  Voice of America: "Ministers are pleased to announce that they have agreed on the core elements of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership," the 11 nations said in a statement. Setback for US "It's a huge setback for the United States," according to Deborah Elms, executive director of the Singapore-based Asian Trade Center. "If you are an exporter this is deeply damaging." Elms said that while some large U.S. corporations might find alternative ways, with their global networks and subsidiaries, to take advantage of the CPTPP through their global networks, America's...(Read Full Post)