The United States can show its leadership in the world and reap benefits for itself through cooperative action, President Obama said in his final State of the Union speech. During the hour-long address, he asked Congress to approve the Trans-Pacific free-trade agreement and to end the half-century trade embargo on Cuba. “With TPP, China doesn’t set the rules in that region [Asia], we do. You want to show our strength in this new century? Approve this agreement,” the president said. On Cuba, Obama said his decision to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba bolstered U.S. stature in Latin America. “Recognize that the Cold War is over. Lift the embargo.”
Neither goal seems within immediate reach. Both would lead to larger U.S. farm exports, say analysts. TPP may not see a vote in Congress until after the November general election.
In discussing his view of how to assure a fair shot at opportunity as the economy restructures, Obama said, “Food stamp recipients didn’t cause the financial crisis; recklessness on Wall Street did.”