Patrick Johnson 
Next Friday, May 8th, President Barack Obama will be heading to Nike Headquarters. The President plans to speak in favor of the upcoming Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal despite heavy opposition from his fellow Democrats who believe that the proposed deal would hurt American job-growth in the immediate future. The plan’s objective is to boost Made-in-America exports to some of the fastest growing Asia Pacific countries. Obama believes that Pacific workers will benefit from the trade partnership as much as American workers will, and he will use Nike Headquarters as the setting to discuss the proposed agreement despite the brand’s controversy in the past for outsourcing their factories overseas. A White House statement claimed that the President will “discuss how workers will benefit from progressive, high-standards trade agreements that would open up new markets and support high-quality jobs both for Oregon small business and large companies like Nike”.
The hope is that the TPP will help shape current foreign policy in Asia and rival China’s own economic growth. Nike has a history of being an Obama administration ally, having helped First Lady Michelle Obama in one of her main efforts – improving physical fitness. According to The Oregonian, back in 2013 Nike President Mark Parker said his company would spend $50 million over five years in an effort to increase physical activity in schools throughout the United States. “We are honored President Obama plans to make time to visit Nike to discuss our future growth and innovation plans and the importance of trade to Oregon and the country while on his upcoming trip,” a Nike statement said confirming President Obama’s arrival.
Source: Reuters/ Bizjournals/ Oregon Live
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