The long, acrimonious legislative battle that is expected to give President Obama the power needed to complete trade agreements reflects both the steady march of globalization and also the nation's deep ambivalence about the consequences of America's widening economic engagement with the world.
With the Senate almost certain Wednesday to pass legislation on trade-promotion authority, or fast track, the Obama administration can turn to finishing negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a legacy-making deal for the president that would join the markets of 12 Pacific Rim nations accounting for 40% of the global economy.
Tough issues involving sensitive farm and dairy products have to be resolved, and negotiators must also finalize rules and standards on intellectual property, labor, environment and other areas related to trade and investment.