Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, was established twenty years ago with an initial purpose of providing free trade between Singapore, Chile, and New Zealand. The United States joined in December of 2009, and TPP has since grown to include a total of 11 countries.

“TPP, if it works out, will be the largest free and open trade agreement that United States has ever been involved in.” said Bernard K. Gordon, professor emeritus of political science at the University of New Hampshire. ”The dollar size of TPP is very large.”

As of today, there are eleven countries who are members of TPP. The goal of Trans-Pacific Partnership is the creation of free trade agreements and negotiations between countries which are involved. Canada and Mexico joined TPP in the past summer, and Japan is expected to join soon.

“If Japan joins, American trades with the TPP will represent forty percent of global trade, so it is a big deal. Japan has the world third largest economy.” Gordon said. “The big question is will Japan Join TPP. Two Japanese prime ministers have said yes and the current minister Mr. Yoshihiko Noda has three times told the world that he will soon make an announcement that Japan will join the TPP.”

Scholars believe the TPP has a different meaning for U. S. economy.

“The largest gains actually are not for the United States, largest gains are going to be for the Asian countries,” said Bernard K. Gordon. “But the United States would experience… over a ten-year period, a doubling of our exports.”

TPP would bring job opportunities for small and large businesses owners in the United States and encourage them to raise the quality of products. There will be more competition between goods; therefore, standard and expectations will be higher from industries. Business owners and manufacturers will be having department of exports and imports which will cause more job creation.