Sen. John McCain criticized President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), saying in a statement the move will help China.
Among a trio of executive orders Trump signed Monday was a directive for the U.S. to formally leave the trade deal.
"President Trump's decision to formally withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership is a serious mistake that will have lasting consequences for America's economy and our strategic position in the Asia-Pacific region," McCain said.
"This decision will forfeit the opportunity to promote American exports, reduce trade barriers, open new markets, and protect American invention and innovation. It will create an opening for China to rewrite the economic rules of the road at the expense of American workers. And it will send a troubling signal of American disengagement in the Asia-Pacific region at a time we can least afford it."
America's participation in the TPP was not likely to happen regardless of Trump's order because it appeared that Congress would not have approved it anyway. That means Trump's signing Monday was a demonstration that he intends to follow on his campaign promises.
Trump has also vowed to examine other trade deals as he works to improve the economy by increasing growth and adding jobs.
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