Editorial Board
Trans-Pacific Partnership Can Succeed Without the U.S.
Rather than walking away or starting over, the 11 remaining nations should close the trade deal.
Other members will benefit nonetheless.
Photographer: Roslan Rahman/AFP/Getty ImagesThe U.S. signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal last year, then decided not to implement it. The 11 other signatories have given themselves until November to decide whether to go ahead anyway. They shouldn't need half that long. The deal as it stands is far better than none.
Contrary to warnings from some quarters, America's absence needn't kill the agreement. Negotiators mainly have to change the clause that says it must be ratified by countries accounting for 85 percent of the 12 members' gross domestic product (the U.S. is 60 percent). Other provisions dealing specifically with the U.S. will need to be adjusted or ignored, but if the 11 want to proceed, they can.