WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- The full text of the sweeping Asia-Pacific trade deal that will end most tariffs and similar trade barriers between 12 countries was made public Thursday in advance of an expected months-long congressional review and contentious vote early next year.
Among those industries that stand to benefit from the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership deal are United States-based tech companies, farmers and banks.
The pact, the biggest trade deal the U.S. has negotiated since the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994, also takes a backhanded approach to allegations China, not one of the signatories, has been behind massive U.S. technology breaches. It requires participating countries to outlaw trade-secret thefts, specifically thefts through computer hacking.
The Office of the United States Trade Representative said the TPP deal "levels the playing field for American workers, farmers and American businesses by eliminating more than 18,000 taxes that various countries impose on made in America exports."
The 30-chapter, 2,000 page document, which sets common standards on issues that include workers' rights and intellectual property, was largely kept from public scrutiny during the negotiations.
The White House is expected Thursday to notify lawmakers President Obama will sign the deal, starting a 90-day clock for final congressional approval.
The deal has been opposed by many labor unions and some Democrats, including presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, who backed the pact when she was secretary of state under Obama. Republican front-runner Donald Trump has labeled the deal a "disaster."
House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin said he has not read the entire document and is reserving judgement until a thorough review.
"Enactment of TPP is going to require the administration to fully explain the benefits of this agreement and what it will mean for American families," he said. " I continue to reserve judgement on the path ahead. But I remain hopeful that our negotiators reached an agreement that the House can support because a successful TPP would mean more good jobs for American workers and greater U.S. influence in the world."
