By Mahishan Gnanaseharan

For The Times of Trenton

PRINCETON -- The former U.S. Trade Representative under President Barack Obama spoke about the future of the country's trade policy at Princeton University recently.

Michael Froman, a lawyer and economist,discussed the benefits of international trade treaties and the concerns raised about the Trans-Pacific Partnership and similar trade deals. The 1985 Princeton graduate's lecture was titled, "The Future of Trade in a Trumpian World."

Froman explained his role in leading negotiations for the TPP, one of Obama's signature accomplishments - and a lightning rod for political criticism. Trump repeatedly condemned the TPP on the campaign trail and withdrew the United States from the deal in his first days in office.

"There's such a compelling case for (the TPP), economically and strategically, but it was the rallying cry of opposition from both parties," Froman said. "That raises the question: What happened? What does it mean for the future of trade policy and politics more generally?"

TPP and related trade deals are designed to open up new markets for local businesses, expand environmental protections and set rules for a digital economy, Forman said.

The doubts and criticisms of these trade deals are valid but misdirected, he said.

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"The outcome of the election reflected real and legitimate economic concerns and anxieties," Froman said. "However, economists tell us that most of the impact on wages and jobs comes not from globalization but from technology and automation."

Technology and automation occur within the country and are largely out of voters' control, Froman said. As a result, voters tend to direct their frustrations with economic conditions toward international trade deals like the TPP.

Froman stressed that the federal government needs to a better job aiding these voters.

"As a government, we don't do a good job equipping young people with skills they need in an advanced economy and even more so, helping individual communities adversely affected by trade change," he said.

He cited apprenticeship programs, community college scholarships and other state and international efforts as the first steps to addressing the anxiety caused by the globalized trade economy.

Froman also fielded questions from the audience members, who asked about topics ranging from the future of NAFTA and the difference between unilateral and bilateral trade deals.

"Little of Trumpian trade policy matters unless we address how to make sure we're providing skills and transition assistance," Froman said at the end of his address.

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